Driving Rain Adds To Italian Discomfort

Northern Advocate, 3 October 1944, Page 4

Driving Rain Adds To Italian Discomfort

(Official N-Z.E.F. War Correspondent) BTH ARMY FRONT, Sept. 29. Torrential rain squalls continue to handicap movement on this front and New Zealand infantry and tanks are surrounded by a desolate stretch of soaked ground just south of the Fiumecino River. New Zealanders reached this position yesterday afternoon, driving the enemy from this side of the river. They tried to infiltrate through our lines last night, some carrying bazookas seeking out tanks. An infantry screen halted them and they were forced to retire. The wintry weather has come upon us quite suddenly and the only protection many of the men have had against it is the gas cape, usually used in Italy as a raincoat.* Mortar fire was heavy and natural cover just did no) exist. The men dug in, but as fast a-’ they dug slit trenches they were filled with water and they had to take to the water or be caught by shrapnel. It was small comfort to know that the discomfort of the enemy was just a? great. Later a majority of the New Zealanders found some shelter in shattered houses, but even there galedriven rain swept through shell hole? in roofs and walls. Further back where bivouacs were erected, wind and rain brought miserable conditions, many bivouacs being flattened out. Tracks into the camp areas are deep in mud which clings to the boots in heavy lumps. The Fiumecino has risen considerably and to bridge it would require about a 100-foot span. The banks are heavily mined and wired so that it forms a formidable barrier. The forces on our left crossed the river yesterday, but other troops are faced with strong defensive positions on the south side of the river. The rain has eased bul the gale continues.