GRIP TIGHTENS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24758, 4 December 1943, Page 6

GRIP TIGHTENS

ADVANCE IN ITALY NEW ZEALANDERS' SECTOR (N.Z.E.F. Official War Correnpondent) ITALY, Nov. '2O Since the establishment by the Isew Zealanders of a bridgehead across the Sangro River over 3000 yards deep by 7000 yards wide our troops have been consolidating and improving their positions, Last night patrols again went forward. It was a clear, cold moonless night with little- visibility and the patrols encountered no. opposition. One group penetrated to a bridge prepared by the Germans for demolition. An engineer quickly located the charge and withdrew the fuse. Other bridges passed on the road offered no signs of being mined. The Germans yesterday and this morning continued determined to destroy the one remaining bridge across the Sangro in this sector, biit so far their efforts have been unavailing. The Luftwaffe made several attempts yesterday with Messerschmitts and Foeke Wulfs used as dive-bombers. The j total results were at least four shot | down by Spitfires above the bridge. : One Messerschmitt disappeared m a'j flash of flame after being hit by eannoulire from a"fighter and another dug its own grave behind the enemy lines with a bomb-load. The bridge was constantly harassed by gunfire and sometimes by mortars, but munitions and guns rolled forward across the river in a steady stream. With every truck-load our grip on the north bank of the Sangro tightens and the chances of a successful counterattack lessen.