NEW ZEALAND ADVANCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25553, 5 June 1944, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND ADVANCE

LINK WITH INDIAN TROOPS (N.Z.E.F. Official War Correspondent) (Rec. 8.30 p.m.) SORA, June 2. New Zealand reconnaissance forces have linked up with those of an Indian division at Isola, on Highway 82, connecting the road through the mountains with Highway Six. This important phase in the New Zealand advance, which followed the capture of Sora, has been accomplished within seven days of their start from the positions they had been holding back in the hills near Aquafondata. The Indians on the other side of the mountains, with New Zealand tanks in support to. beyond Arce, the junction of Highways Six and 82, made equally good progress. Our reconnaissance forces found the road blown up in two places on the Sora side of Isola, but by making a detour and using the railway track to bridge minor demolitions thev managed to make contact with the Indians. This means that the whole of the considerable mountain area be-* tween the Axis and our advance and Highway Six up Highway 82 to Sora has been cleared of the enmey.

Although they knew that the country ahead was difficult, it was with a feeling of relief that the New Zealanders left behind an inferno track" which will be long remembered as a route for jeep trains, which, night after night, took up troops, supplies, and ammunition to scattered mountain strongholds. The jeeps would meet at rendezvous in their scores, awaiting darkness, and, with its coming, the order to move.

Up a narrow, winding road and down steep grades, in places blasted deep through rock, they had to wind their way to their destinations. The timing of arrival and departure had to be perfect to prevent confusion and the possible non-arrival of “ trains ” before down, consequences of which the enemy was prepared to take full advantage. Such a possibility was avoided, and the jeep trains got through—and returned. It was a triumph of perfect organisation. Starting their advance on the right flank of the Eighth Army’s great offensive, the New Zealanders swung in to the right of Cassino to the valley behind Monte Cairo. Guns, armour, and vehicles were used, and the dusty, narrow road was built up in many places to by-pass demolitions. Much of the infantry had to make its way over steep, rocky slopes, flanking the valley. Their way was hard, but they doggedly moved forward, taking village after village, with armour and guns in support. They chased the tiring enemy, whose only effective method of holding them for any length of time was by demolitions, and they were never long effective against the efforts of the engineers. The Italians continue to stream back to their homes, walking in single file along roadsides amid billowing dust clouds. They are mostly women and. children, carrying some of their household belongings on their heads; but, in spite of all they smile.