The Grey River Argus MONDAY, May 22, 1944. BREACHING OF GERMAN LINES.

Grey River Argus, 22 May 1944, Page 4

The Grey River Argus MONDAY, May 22, 1944. BREACHING OF GERMAN LINES.

It was known before the Fifth and Eighth Armies renewed the offensive on the western section of the enemy front in Italy that the Germans had south of Rome very considerable forces. They manned the line between the sea and the main divide. In view of previous hold-ups, such as that at Cassino, progress was expected to be extremely gradual. Consequently there appears to be great justification for the very optimistic reports coming from press correspondents regarding the progress made up till Saturday night. Especially does this apply to the Allied left flank, where French and American forces of the Fifth Army have made rapid coastal progress, probably nearing twenty miles in places, bringing them within thirty miles of the Allied beach-head forces around Anzio Netturiio and Littoria. The Fifth Army is following the Appian Way, or coastal route towards Rome, whilst further inland, where going is harder, the Eighth Army in which the Poles have been very prominent, is slowly traversing the lower Liri Valley route. The Gustav Line was quickly pierced in places, and by the Eighth, as well as the Fifth Army, the latter’s early progress, particularly oh the part of the French in high country west of the Liri, facilitating the attack of the Eighth Army, in which New Zealand tanks had the honour of occupying Cassino. While the latest news points to the Fifth Army still setting the pace, correspondents say that the whole Allied line has gone forward, although the going in the Liri Valley continues to be harder and relatively slower. The passing of Gaeta and Itri and the carrying of the fight as far as Terracina—like Gaeta a coastal point—on the Appian Way, recalls a conjecture that the Adolf Hitler Line might be outflanked. The French have passed Esperia, on the Liri River, however, keeping them in line with the Americans on the coast, and if the Eighth Army can keep up further inland on the Rome road, the whole Hitler or switch line may eventually become untenable for the enemy. It may nevertheless bo expected that German resistance will increase, . because their defences are in considerable depth, and as fewer than 5000 prisoners have been taken, they must remain in a strong position, even though they probably are outnumbered considerably, and lack the movable weapons which the attackers possess. Naval support is an important factor, and also air ascendancy, whereas the enemy has the advantage of choice of positions, within an extensive fortified zone. The Germans have said there is nothing to correspond with the Allied reports of a strongly fortified Hitler Line, a statement which is designed apparently to explain away the possibility of a further setback rather than to mislead the Allied fdrees. It would nevertheless be wishfid thinking to expect any marked weakening in the enemy resistance, and probably the. Allied gains have so far have had to bo paid for in men. However, General Alexander’s tactics appear to have been effective up to the present, as the impetus of the offensive is well maintained, so that the enemy has more than once found himself obliged to vacate a salient. There is certainly going to be no runaway march upon Rome. It will be time to look for a more extensive German withdrawal only when the Liri Valley has been traversed, and the enemy been forced into less mountainous and therefore less easily defended country. . What might alter the situation might be a junction with the beach-head forces, which now are probably far greater than before, and which have not been lately reinforced without the .prospect of their playing a very different part from that which they have been doing since their early attacks were checked by the enemy. The Germans must meantime employ anything up to four-fifths of the 25 divisions they are estimated to have stationed in Italy, and, as the invasion daily approaches, with also the probability of a renewal of the Russian offensive, the campaign of Italy is manifestly an important factor in the Allied grand strategy. The Germans are already hampered in Italy through the destruction eff

many of their means of communi cation, so that if there should be a further Allied landing they will have their hands more than full, and increasing difficulties of supply and reinforcement. The offensive is thus auspicious in its present stage, and the next one can he awaited with confidence.