Nelson Evening Mail TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1944 SURPRISE IN ITALY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 25 January 1944, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1944 SURPRISE IN ITALY

THE firm of Eisenhower and Alexander, which paid such rich dividends in Tunisia, Sicily, and Southern Italy last year, now goes under the style of Maitland Wilson and Alexander, but it has lost none of its enterprise and efficiency. The landing on the coast south of the Tiber during the week-end was a stroke of calculated boldness, which has already introduced a new factor into the situation in Italy, and may bring a big reward in a very short time. Progress on this front had been lagging for some weeks, particularly in the Fifth Army sector, though this was in no sense the fault of the soldiers or their commanders. It was due in the main to difficult country, bad weather, and determined enemy resistance. One is reminded of Wellington’s classic remark: “Hard pounding, gentlemen; let us see who can pound the hardest.”, It was only last week that the British forces on the left flank of the Fifth Army, although they had been in position for three months, managed to cross the Garigliano River. The main body of the army, comprising chiefly American and French troops, had with infinite toil and difficulty made its way a few miles up the valleys of the Liri and Rapido, and was closing in on the hill fortress of Cassino, which guarded the road to Rome, 60 miles away; and though ultimate success seemed assured, every inch of the way was being disputed. The time had clearly come for a new move, and last week-end provided it. The landing was made by a part of the Fifth Army at two o’clock on Saturday morning, under General Mark Clark’s personal supervision. The place chosen was Nettuno, a minor port about 30 miles south of Rome, where the recently drained Pontine Marshes merge into the Roman Campagna, the old plain of La~ tium. The landing was preceded by some days of heavy air attack, chiefly on communications . north and south of Rome, so as to keep the ring clear while the Allies were consolidating their bridgehead. Despite this broad hint of impending operations, the enemy was taken completely by surprise. There was only one battalion on the beach, and no air opposition at all for six hours; when the planes did arrive our fighters handled them with comfort. Disembarkation appears to have gone quite smoothly during the last three days; our troops have established a satisfactory bridgehead, and have penetrated four miles inland. They were greatly helped by a rash move on the part of the enemy, who had despatched three divisions from Rome to the Garigliano front only a few days before, and left the ci.ty of the Caesars with very thin protection. At the moment our forces are disposed to meet the inevitable counter-attack and Von Kesselring

is having an unhappy time wondering how far he can denude his mountain defences to meet the new dan-

It is too early to judge the success of the move, but it is clear that the landing has succeeded beyond expectations and that the Allies have won the first round. It is gratifying to see that our mastery of the sea is being exploited; indeed it would appear that a similar venture was planned for last September and was only called off at the last minute because of the breakdown of Italian co-operation. Many people will see in this operation another rehearsal for the Great Invasion; the technique of land, sea and air co-ordination is now being perfected, and the omens for success are good. It is unlikely that this task force is expected to march direct on Rome, though its bridgehead may well become the spring board for the final assault on the city. Its immediate purpose is more probably to get in behind the considerable army—estimated at nine divisions—which is blocking the path of the Fifth Army. If it can hold its ground, the enemy will be caught between two fires, though of course if German reinforcements can be hurried to Rome, our own men will be in some danger of encirclement. This is where our air strength may be a vital factor; if it can keep blasting communications as far back as the great supply depot of Florence, reinforcement from Northern Italy may be too slow to be effective. In the meantime the new move is full of promise; although the enemy probably has the advantage in numbers, we have the advantage in position, and the capture of Rome, which will bring the first stage in the Italian campaign to an end, may be nearer than we thought a few days ago. The Italian capital is a prize worth having. Although its strategic position is not decisive, its political and religious prestige are of supreme importance. Its capture would give us control of most of the peninsula, and would do much to unravel the tangled skein of Italian politics.