ITALIAN FRONT

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIV, Issue 22738, 12 November 1943, Page 5

ITALIAN FRONT

German Attacks Diminish Fifth Army Takes More Heights By Telegraph—N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright (1 am.) LONDON. Nov. 11. German counter-attacks against the Fifth Army have slackened, and the .Americans have captured more important heights. The Eighth Army has now advanced 10 miles beyond Isernia. Eighth Army tanks, in a further advance, completely isolated Agnone on the Isernia-Vastb Road, reports the Algiers radio. According to the Rome radio very bitter fighting is going on along the Upper Volturno where the Americans at several points made some penetrations of the German lines. A big defensive battle is going on west of the Volturno with the enemy continually attacking. In an attempt to crack the new German defence line and open the way" to’ Rome, the Americans have thrown big guns into action. It is officially reported that the Germans are scuttling ships and demolishing the quays at Leghorn and Pescara. Further Captures The Eighth Army has captured three places in the central sector —Carovilli. a road and rail centre in the Apennines. Forli di Sangro, and Castiglione, on the lateral road some 25 miles southwest of Vasto, states the Algiers radio. This is an advance of four miles. An inland communique issued jjj; North Africa states: “Patrols were active along the front and advances were made in seme sectors in spite of many demolitions. The Fifth Army’s operations were hampered by bad weather. Strong enemy resistance was met. A number of counter-attacks, were repelled. Patrols on both sides have been active.” In London it is thought that the Germans will make a determined attempt to hold roughly their present positions. Air attacks on enemy targets have been maintained. The Eighth Army further consolid-r. ated its positions on the right flank overlooking the River Sangro near its estuary on the Adriatic coast. The capture of Castiglione, inland, gives the British control of the entire road from Vasto to this important supply point. Further south our forces have gained control of several miles of the same lateral road north Trom Isernia in its continuation westward across Italy. The Eighth Army has also captured Carovilli. 10 miles north-east of Isernia and Forli di Sangro, nine miles northwest of Isernia. Large fires are blazing in Castle di

Sangro, which is ahead of the Eighth Army’s line at about its centre. The Fifth Army’s artillery devastatingly effective against numerous counter-attacks near Venafro and elsewhere. The enemy formations were smashed up before they achieved apy. advance. Fifth Army units held their ground everywhere and inflicted heavy losses and captured prisoners. The German counter-attacks were made in mountainous areas where the enemy has hewn out vast machinegun emplacements from the rock, and devised innumerable strongpoints. An air communique states: “Heavy bombers of the North-west African Air Force, escorted by long-range fighters, attacked shipping and gun positions near Durazzo (Albania). Others attacked motor transport, gun positions, bridges, warehouses and trains behind the battle area. Two enemv aircraft were destroyed. None of ours is missing. “On Tuesday night the railway .ano railway bridge at Potassieve were attacked by night bombers.” Targets attacked by the North-west African Air Force yesterday were the steel factories at Genoa, and the ballbearing works at Villaperosa—the only factory of its kind left in Ger-man-occupied Italy after the knocking out of the Fiat factory at Turin on Monday. The crews reported successful attacks against both targets.