MORE ACTIVITY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 24 November 1943, Page 5

MORE ACTIVITY

THE ITALIAN FROfIT BETTER WEATHER~CONDITIONS GERMANS GIVE GROUND ' Rec 12 5 p.m.) London, Nov. 23. The gradually improving weather in Italy led to intensification of the battle in the past twenty-four hours with frequent patrol clashes, heavy artillery exchanges and increasing air activity from coast to coast.

According to Algiers radio the Eighth Army captured Castel di Sangro and Alfedena, but this is not confirmed. Latest reports from the front say the Eighth Army’s left flank has considerably tightened its grip on German defences in the upper Sangro mountains, and is advancing slowly on the road to Avezzano. Eighth Army troops southwest of Alfedena wrested further grounds from the Germans, who at present are making determined resistance. Numerically superior Germans northwest of Agone yesterday heavily attacked light Canadian forces. The batle went on for two hours before the Germans withdrew to their old positions. What is officially described as a fair amount of gun movement was observed sou Lh-west of Mignano. The situation is static on Fifth Army’s coast sector though German patrols are operating in greater numbers in the upper Garigliano.

Allied frontline troops were heartened by bomb-bursts, fires and explosions throughout the day in tie German positions. Allied air forces on the Eighth Army front harried Germans on a scale not previously seen in Italy. AIR SUPPORT Wave after wave of bombers and fighter-bombers blasted enemy gun-po-sitions and strongpoints on the north bank of the Sangro. Wi'.h better weather medium bomber ' struck hard at two important enemy supplies lines in Italy states a correspondent. Marauders escorted by Lightnings bombed the main line between Rome and Florence, 25 miles north-west of Terni. They caused considerable damage. The second blow was at a railway bridge at Cecina, near Leghorn, on the west coast line, bringing supplies from France to the German lines through Genoa and Rome. Several bombs landed squarely on the bridge and others fell in railway yards nearby. When Civitivecchia was bombed direct hits were scored on chemical works, munition dumps, railway yards and a vessel in the harbour was damaged. Medium and light bombers, fighter-bombers and fighters co-operat-ed in strength with the Army, especially in the Lanciano and Fossacesia areas, enemy strongpoints being attacked. Many fires and explosions were seen. One Allied plane is missing. SEA OF MUD A land communique merely states that although rain decreased "slightly the battle area is still a sea of mud and the rivers flooded, and little activity has been possible on any part of the front. Algiers radio, however, reports strong Eighth Army patrolling and some gains. A correspondent says all along the line the weather cleared a little and contact is more brisk north-west of Agone. Despite heavy artillery action the Aladvanced near Alfedena. In the Fifth Army area aggressive patrols were made in the vicinity of Monteaquiela. BERLIN RADIO REPORT Berlin radio stated that the Eighth Army after intense artillery preparation and with strong air support launched the expected large scale offensive this morning. The radio added that fighting was very fierce all day. but the enemy did not succeed in gaining any ground worth mentioning and suffered heavy losses. Fighting is continuing. BOMB DAMAGE AT VATICAN London, Nov. 23. The “Regina Fascista’’ reports that bomb damage in the Vatican City is estimated at 20,000.000 lira, which is about £250,000 at pre-war rates. SCORCHED EARTH TACTICS An Algiers report says that German scorched earth tactics in Italy, designed to deny the Allies winter shelter as well as military advantage, are being applied with such ruthless contempt for civilian property that years will be needed to repair even part of the damage. Thousands of Italians are doomed to endure a freezing winter in the Apennines without shelter. HIGH-RANKING FASCIST ARRESTED

London, Nov. 23. It is announced in Naples that Allied security officials arrested Guiseppi Frignani. a high-ranking Fascist and a foundation member of the Italo-Ger-man Friendship Society, He was general manager of the State-controlled bank of Naples.