Savage German Attacks Almost Halt 8th Army

Northern Advocate, 13 December 1943, Page 3

Savage German Attacks Almost Halt Bth Army

(Rec. 1.30 p.m.) LONDON,. Dec. 12,

The Germans’ savage counterattacks, supported by tanks along the Adriatic coast, have brought the Eighth Army’s advance towards Pescara and Chieti to a virtual standstill, but have cost the Nazis dearly, says the Algiers correspondent of the Associated Press.

Reuter’s correspondent says that although the Eighth Army has made further advances, they are limited owing to fierce opposition, also to the rain-soaked terrain. A bridgehead established north of Frisa, seven miles inland from the Adriatic coast, has been further enlarged. The British United Press reports ■that the Eighth Army’s Canadian spearheads tonight are battling with the crack German 90th Light Division on the outskirts of Ortona. Members of the Eighth Army are also meeting strong resistance near Guardigrele. Mignano, which is known to be cle* finitely within the Allied line, has been captured by the Fifth Army, according to Vichy radio, which added that ’Americans are advancing from Mignano towards Cassino. The German news agency stated that German rearguards several weeks ago evacuated Mignano. Rearguards mined the road to Rome to such a degree that Americans are only now able to make use of the locality. Algiers radio stated that the Fifth Army has occupied several heights one mile north of Capua-Rome road. Paris radio said that the Fifth Army has put down an artillery barrage of unprecedented violence south-west of Venafro and 30,000 shells were fired in 24 hours on a single sector with the object of softening Qerman positions. The United States Air Chief (General Arnold)" visited the Fifth Army front yesterday with General Clark for a close-up of the mountainous terrain for which Americans are fighting. The Associated Press correspondent says the generals drove in jeeps to forward positions where artillery was pounding the German lines. The Germans also shelled their area. One shell fell less than 100 yards . from the generals. Climax Near The most fateful hours in the Allied drive against Rome are not far away, says Algiers radio. Allied forces completely control and dominate an area south of the Appian way and the climax of the battle for Cassino is near.

Paris radio reports that the Fifth Army is attacking with overwhelming superiority. The Germans have withdrawn some miles north-west-ward. The Allies have occupied heights on both sides of the road to Rome. “The enemy is throwing everything into the battle for Italy in an all-out effort to breach our front,” says the German news agency’s war correspondent. “Air formations are pounding our positions on an unprecedented scale. Success with such superior forces is inevitable. It can openly be admitted that the first days of December were among the hardest that German soldiers in Italy have yet faced.” Reuter’s Algiers correspondent states that the Fifth Army repulsed two counter-attacks on high ground north of San Spietro and consolidated their positions overlooking the Rome Road.. The Germans are continuously blasting our troops with mortar-fire. Very powerful German counter-attacks in the coastal area on Thursday night slowed the Eighth Army’s advance ■which was resumed the following morning. The German-controlled Scandinavian telegram bureau reports that British warships heavily bombarded the coastal road leading to Pescara. Enemy Losses Heavy The enemy, is fighting fiercely on both fronts in Italy and suffering ■heavy casualties, writes a war correspondent. On the Eighth Army front there was one instance when shelling by our artillery was so intense that the ground tyas strewn with enemy dead. One t*f our battalions buried 200 Germans.

The Germans made a grand-style attack in an attempt to regain ground captured the previous day a mile west of Filignano, shelling first with enemy guns before sending in infantry. The Americans rose to the occasion and kept their hold on the height. The Eighth Army is being held up as much by the weather as by enemy opposition. Our air force is giving the land troops every possible support whenever the weather permits despite increased fighter opposition.

In the San Leonardo area our troops extended a bridgehead despite very fierce resistance which is general all ever the front. On the Fifth Army front our artillery smashed up another dangerous counter-attack aimed at a height north-east of San Pietro, which was recently captured, and afterwards kept sending shells into the village. Our fighter-bomb-ers and fighters were active ahead of the Fifth Army. Railway targets near Archi, on the road to Rome, were attacked three times during the day by invaders. Hits were scored on tracks and railway-yards. Other invaders bombed and strafed the railway junction at Ponte Gallera, southeast of Rome. Hangars were strafed and a landing-ground and radio station in the vicinity were attacked. Spitfires patrolled the Eighth Army •front and attacked transport on the Chieti area. Advance On Coast The Italy communique states: “On the Eighth Army front we continued cur advance in the coastal sector under unfavourable weather. The enemy is resisting vigorously by strong repeated counter-attacks supported by armour. All these counter-attacks were repulsed and heavy losses were inflicted on the enemy. There were local engagements on the Fifth Army front. Enemy counter-attacks were repulsed.” Weather Affects Planes Bad weather yesterday seriously hampered air communications, but light aircraft attacked enemy communications in the province of Emilia, which lies between the River Po and the Apennines, and airfields in the Rome area. A railway centre near Acre was attacked, and a large explosion was caused at San Vittore. A number of motor vehicles near Chieti were destroyed. There was increased enemy fighter activity. They attacked our troops in several places, but only a few aircraft could be brought to battle. One enemy aircraft was destroyed, and one of ours is missing. One pilot reported, missing yesterday is now safe. Vital Road Junction The road junction one and a half miles south of Ortona, captured by the Canadians, is where the road from Orsogna joins the main coastal road, reports a war correspondent with the Eighth Army.' Strong German counter-attacks in the last few days have obviously been made to prevent Allied troops } reaching the junction. Once the Allies bridged the Moro and got tanks and supporting arms across, the enemy evidently realised their chances of holding the junction were Slight. The Allies had only to overcome the rearguards before reaching the junction and advancing further along the main road towards Ortona. The enemy shelled the road constantly, * but made no attempt to commit infantry in counterattacks which have proved very .costly to them.. It would appear that the enemy are

pulling back the main force towards the River Foro, the next natural obstacle between Ortona and Pescara, as there has bepn much transport moving northwards, both on the main road and secondary roads. Allied aircraft were quick to seize the chance to attack this transport, despite the weather, which is far from perfect. Fighters and Kittyhawk bombers carried out many low-level raids and excellent results were obtained. Over 50 German trucks were destroyed and over 100 damaged. Fall of San Leonardo In stiff fighting the Eighth Army is closing in on the coast town of Ortona and has captured San Leonardo. An army communique states that on the Eighth Army front, the advance is continuing in face of repeated counter-attacks. Our troops have captured San Leonardo and fierce fighting is in progress south ot Ortona. A second bridgehead has been established on the Moro River, despite considerable opposition. On the Fifth Army front our troops engaged in several successful localised actions. We have consolidated extended positions on several important terrain features. Ventimiglia railway bridge was attacked by medium bombers, while fighterbombers flew to Civitavecchia and bombed the harbour also attacking shipping off the Yugoslav coast. They were active in the area of Chieti, destroying dnd damaging a large number of motor ' transport vehicles. Fighters increased their Intervention in the land battles, destroying positions and transport. There was little enemy air activity over Italy. During these operations 11 enemy aircraft were destroyed. Two of ours are missing.