STRATEGIC CENTRE

Grey River Argus, 16 December 1943, Page 5

STRATEGIC CENTRE

Expected to be Taken LONDON, Dec. 14. An Allied communique states: The military ‘ situation in Italy shows little change. On the Adriatic coast our troops threw back several enemy counter-attacks, inflicted casualties and knocked out tanks. Indian troops made further advances in the central sector of the Eighth Army front. Prisoners were taken. A correspondent stated: The forces broadened positions south and south-east of Ortona in spite of German counter-attacks which were repelled. During counter-attacks several enemy tanks were knocked out. Further inland Indian troops captured five hundred German prisoners after pushing the Germans back. “The Times” Algiers correspondent stated: Driving back strong panzer counter-blows in the mua north of the Moro River, the Eigjith Armv pushed forward, and it continues to press Germans back on the right ‘flank in a sector extending 15 miles from the Adriatic coast to the slopes of the Maiella Mountains beside Guardigrele. Gains of high ground overlooking. Ortona were exploited by broadening the front south westwards. The Eighth Army is closing on Ortona against grim desperate enemy opposition. Sue- l cessive counter-attacks have been repulsed. Indian troops farther inland after a short advance are now nearer the lateral Ortona-Orsogna road. The German News Agency war correspondent reports violent fighting at the Eighth Army bridgeheads on the Moro River, where he says the British have thrown in strong formations of Empire troops. He stated the majority of the attacking units were repelled. The correspondent admits “the attackers succeeded in forcing a temporary break at one point.” , , „ A The Algiers radio states that on a front fourteen miles on and beyond the Moro River, forty-three thousand German troops are ma'ssed with at least three panzer divisions. EIGHTH ARMY REPULSES ATTACKS. ADVANCE ON A VITAL CENTRE. LONDON.. Dec. 15. ' Algiers United Nations radio says: A communication centre of great strategic importance is expected t<? fall to the Allies in Italy. The Germans are fiercely resisting our advance against the Ortona and Guardriagrele road. They are launching counter-attacks with tanks, but these are being repulsed everywhere. < FIFTH ARMY’S LULL. LONDON, Dec. 14. On the Fifth Army front activity is limited to exchanges of artillery; fire and patrolling, with considerable artillery fire in the jLiri Valley. Prisoners confirm that the Germans suffered heavy casualties in the mountains of Camora and Maggiore. Allied planes bombed quay, roads, railways," and gun emplacements at Terratine, twenty-ve miles west of Gaeta. Nine guns and a building are believed to have been destroyed. Split and Sihenik (Dalmatian ports) were attacked hyl medium bombers. At Split, an oil depot was set on fire. At Sibenik, the railway yards were all covered. Activity of fighter-bombers and fighters was intensive. A number of gun positions and communications were bombed and motor transports set on fire. Bridges were damaged at Pontecorvo and. Casello. The Terracina railwav centre was well covered by strikes. Two of our aircraft are missing. Terracina is the bottle neck of the coast road fifty-five miles south of Rome. A FIFTH ARMY CONCENTRATION (Rec. 12.5.) LONDON. Dec. 15. Vichy radio states: The German reconnaissance has reported new Allied concentrations in the region of the Garigliano River.