HARD TASK AHEAD

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXIV, Issue 140, 13 May 1944, Page 5

HARD TASK AHEAD

POWERFUL DEFENCES EIGHTH ARMY'S NEW JOB (Bee. 11.30 a.m.) BUGBY, May 12 The Eighth Army Commander (General Leese) told correspondents yesterday that the present offensive differs from previous attacks by the Eighth Army, in that the task is one of assault and break-through in turn. "The series of natural defensive positions are strongly held and long prepared, each of which the Germans will cling to until they are forced out," said the General. The immediate objective is the Gustav Line, which has been heavily fortified for many months past and includes modern, concrete defence works in many places. Behind this lies the Adolf Hitler Line, another strong defensive position which German military engineers have prepared for months past and strengthened to the utmost, and which Hitler's troops will be ordered to hold to the last man. "The defences wo are now attacking," he continued, "are the strongest which the British Army has encountered in the present war. Progress must not be judged in terms of an advance of so manv miles, but by the successive defence lines to be broken through and strong-points to be captured. Success will onlv be achieved by a sene* of hard-fought encounters, in which the infantry have strong artillery and armoured support and the backing of powerful British and American Air Forces. Certain divisions, formerly part of the Eighth Armv have now returned to that command, and fresh formations have been absorbed. The army has thus been training and preparing for the new attack. The divisions have been rehearsing their roles and considerable reserves of stores and supplies have been built up.—Official Wireless.