TIME GAINED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25444, 27 January 1944, Page 5

TIME GAINED

EVERY HOUR IMPORTANT PREPARATION FOR ATTACK ... . . , . LONDON. Jan. 25. Reuter’s military correspondent says the fact that the Allied bridgehead at Nettuno has been pushed to a depth of 12 miles is proof that the Allied position has now been consolidated in a wide area, the width of which is more than double that distance. Thej-e is still no mention of any violent -German reaction. Every hour gained not only strengthens the bridgehead, but increases the potentialities for offensive action. ' A strong force of tanks could make rapid progress in this region, which is fairly level and well provided with roads. The Associated ; Press Algiers correspondent says General Alexander personally directed the Nettuno landing, then landed himself to supervise *the early operations ashore. French troops on the Fifth Army front captured Mon Croce. The French repulsed many strong German counterattacks in this area. British troops on the Fifth Army front made a limited increase in their bridgehead on the Lower Garigliano. The Germans News Agency, quoting the first German correspondent to reach the Nettuno front, says when the enemy landed the flat beaches were defended only by weak German forces. They fought to the last man, but the enemy’s numerical superiority was overwhelming. The Algiers correspondent of the Columbia Broadcasting System said the first indications that the Germans had organised defensive measures appeared late yesterday afternoon, when longrange shells poured into Anzio and a heavy force of planes attacked the beaches.

It appears at the moment, however, that the enemy struck too late. Our initial gains have thrown him so much off his balance that he will not be able to recover.' ,

The British United Press correspondent at Allied headquarters says: “After a wild air battle over the Anzio and Nettuno area yesterday Warhawks, although outnumbered, drove off 30 Messerschmitt 109’s and Focke-Wulf 19C’s. The Germans fled afetr a FockeWulf was destroyed and a Messerschmitt probably destroyed and two other planes damaged. . A German High Command communique claims that as a result of these raids three destroyers and one merchantman of 6000 tons were sunk, and the destruction of three more ships totalling 26,000 tons can be taken as certain. Eleven transports were damaged, some heavily.