SANGRO BRIDGEHEAD

Grey River Argus, 29 November 1943, Page 5

SANGRO BRIDGEHEAD

WIDENED ON FRIDAY Allied Bombers More Active THROUGHOUT ITALIAN FRONT. LONDON, Nov. 26. ? The Algiers correspondent of “The Times” states: Despite a determined German resistance the Bth Arm v has consolidated its newly-gained bridgeheads across the Sangro. Bad weather and extensive flooding, however, have slowed down a further British forward movement north of the Sangro. Persistent German attempts to cut off communications across the river have so far been unsuccessful. The Bth Army ha s gained some light ground north-west of Castel di Sangro, which now appears to be practically encircled. Patrols have been active in the Alfedena area, where enemy resistance continues to be veiy strong The high ground won dominates Castel di Sangro. Around Alfedena, on the Sth Army’s right flank, where the weather is misty, the Germans have been trying to _ hit the bridges over the Sangro with artillery and bombs. The flooded state of the river and the muddy ground have made slower than they otherwise would have been. The weather has prevented heavy bombers from going out, but Mitchells attacked the port of Ancona, and a strong force of Bostons, Baltimores and Warhawks concentrated with good effect on enemy positions anr' motor transport in the Pescara and Lanciano areas. Spitfires attacked vehicles near the Yugoslav port of Dubrovnik.” The North-west African Air Force bombed and wiped out anti-aircraft units, machine-gun posts, and gun emplacements immediately ahead of the Eighth Army line. German troop concentrations between Lanciano and Pescara were also attacked from the air, with anti-personnel bombs which had a devastating effect. Prisoners captured in the forward areas confirm the demoralising results of the recent bombing. The Berlin radio stated that Mussolini’s Republican Fascist Army has been in action against the British troops. It suffered heavy casualties.

The American 45th Division is in Italv. It is drawn mainly from Oklahoma and Colorado. It made a fine name for itself in Sicily, and it was later among the first American troops in the Salerno landings. FRIDAY’S OPERATIONS. (Rec. 6.30.) i RUGBY, Nov. 27. A correspondent with the Eighth Army in a message sent on Friday stated: Our forces widened and deepened the bridgehead over the Sangro River during the early hours to-day, and were dug in at some points not more than two miles-from a ridge where Germans are sitting in their defensive positions. The deepening process was carried out with little active opposition from the enemy, except shelling and mortar fire, but our forces found the ground heavily mined, and leading patrols had to find a path through, while Sappers cleared mines from roads, and paths leading from the escarpment to the ridge top. Enlarging of the bridgehead was made by two separate attacks. One was under coyer of a barrage. The other was a silent advance. The objective of one force was a cross-road which was taken without even encountering an enemy patrol. The second objective was a feature of hi°-h ground, of which the silent advance was soon in occupation. Germans tried to drive them off with mortars, but failed. Our air forces continued their pounding of enemy line gun positions in fine weather, and for hours a constant stream of bombers unloaded many tons of high explosives. A great pall of black smoke hung over the line throughout the dav. German guns displayed a certain amount of liveliness, but nearly all were directed at river crossings which were not in use during daylight. , A correspondent at Allied headquarters stated: Defendinoarmies received no rest on rriday when strong forces of light and medium bombers of the Tactical Air Force plastered their positions. It was the first dav of fine weather on the Eighth Army’s a lengthy period. Bostons, Baltimores, and Warhawks carried P\ n ’P° ia .l bombing in the vicinity of Lancieano and Fossaceia. — ALLIED BOMBING RAIDS (Rec. 7.40) LONDON, Nov. 27. A correspondent at Allied headquarters stated: On Friday on the Fifth Army front Marauders bombed the town of Cassino. . A double-bar-relled attack was carried out on two important coastal railroads in Italy by heavy bombers. At the same time positions .behind the line were pounded all day. On the west coast Fortresses attacked Recco viaduct, near Genoa. Although it is not thought that the viaduct was destroyed, it undoubtedly was maae unusable for some time. On the east coast car sheds at Rimini were bombed by Fortresses, several hits being observed, and one large explosion seen. Mitchells again attacked Ancona, where a railway yard, warehouses and docks were hit. Several explosions were seen. FIFTH ARMY. (Rec. 9.40) LONDON, Nov. 27. Algiers radio stated: The Fifth Army is keeping up a brisk shelling of enemy positions. ALLIED PARATROOPS. (Rec. 9.40) LONDON, Nov. 27. Vichy radio asserted new massive Allied operations in Italy are imminent. It says that the Americans have concentrated a' considerable number of paratroops waiting for zero hour. Italian Operations AGAINST THE GERMANS (Rec. 9.40) LONDON, Nov. 28. The “Daily Telegraphls” Zuriqh correspondent says: It is believed that considerable numbers of Allied and also of Italian officers have been landed by parachute in North Italy to organise irregulars. The officers have established a regional headquarters, which is linked by radio with the south of Italy, where General Messe, who is Marshal Badoglio’s new Chief of Staff, is directing Italian operations in the German occupied zone. Large Italian forces in the Balkans have joined the partisans operating there. CONVOY AT GIBRALTAR (Rec. 9.10) LONDON, Nov. 27. Vichy radio declares: Allied combined operations in the Mediterranean are apparently imminent. It reports the arrival at Gibraltar of two cruisers, twelve destroyers, . six corvettes. and twenty cargo-ships.