BREACH WIDENED

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24759, 6 December 1943, Page 5

BREACH WIDENED

daylight attack OPERATIONS IN ITALY (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service) EIGHTH ARMY FRONT, Nov. 29 In brilliant sunshine of the early afternoon, the New Zealand forces vent forward from newly-won positions across the Sangro River to widen the breach in the enemy line. The attack began shortly after noon with a barrage by New Zealand guns, which screened the advancing troops with smoke. The most important task was the occupation of a hilltop village which commanded the left flank of our troops, and which also dominated the lower ground held by the enemy. The operation was over within one hour and a-qnarter of the opening of the barrage. Coining up the slope close behind the sliellbursts we were soon in the narrow streets of the village, which ve found clear of the enemy. Behind us came troops to clean up. The total advance was 2500 yds. due west, at a right angle to the original axis of attack. Our casualties were light, but the decamping Germans left the -usual presents in the form of cunningly-laid mines and booby traps. Meanwhile, patrols from the same formation had pushed north-west and north of the forward defence lines, but they found no enemy retaliation in etrength. Accordingly, the troops went on to positions respectively 2000 yds. north-west and 1000 yds. north of this morning's lines. Our troops have thus fanned out across the bridgehead, ■which must be widened if the troops e »re to hold the present points of vantß\Tl objectives were reached by dusk ■without serious opposition. The enemy contented himself with occasional shell and mortar lire. Enemy air activity today was light compared with yesterdaV, and few planes were seen. The Allied air offensive redoubled in intensity- Clouds of black smoke rose above the green hills of German-held territory as the sky was filled with neaC impeccable formations of bombers and the airy trails of high defence screen fighters. It _ was something ipecial, even taking into account preti'ous batterings received by the Germans over this sector. MACHINE-GUNNERS' TASK -CROSSED AHEAD OF INFANTRY , (N.Z.E.F Official News Service) EIGHTH ARMY FRONT, Nov. -_>9 • Carrying only their guns, thousands of rounds oi ammunition, and enough food for a few meais, New Zealand machine-gunners crossed the Sangro River and dug themselves in some days before our main infantry attack drove a bridgehead into the enemy's defences north of the river. At this stage oi' the battle, when only our infantry patrols probed into the German lines at night, these mach--1 ine-gunners had their guns firmly en- [ trenched across the river ready to handle any counter-attack the enemy j made on a wedge in the hill slopes captured by English infantry. To get their guns into these newly-won infantry lines with the river behind them, and "German guns and mortars on every other side, the machine-gunners had to cross the wide riverbed, struggle over one remaining span of a demolished bridge and up a <heer hillside, all in j daylight. | As soon as they reached a road run- | ning along what was then our bank of J the river, they came under enemy gun- ! fire. Three miles of that, then on foot, ] spaced out at intervals of about 20yds., 1 they bad to carry their heavy guns, l tripods and ammunition over some I 700 yds. of muddy shingle river flat and ] great heaps of concrete rubble left by the bridge demolition. I ; The men had no greatcoats or blani kets, and it was as cold as a South Island mid-winter night. However, they soon found blankets in Italian iarm | houses. Other New Zealand machinef miners crossed the river each night to eep the gun teams supplied with food and ammunition. It was not until they joined in a great artillery and mach-ine-gun barrage fired in support oi the New Zealand infantry assault across the Sangro that they shared in any major action. Their casualties were •xtremely light.