GERMAN PLAN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 233, 2 October 1943, Page 5

GERMAN PLAN

RUTHLESS NAZIS DEMOLITIONS POLICY IN ACTIONS That the Germans plan to hold up the Eighth Army by rearguard actions among the mountains of Abruzzi and Umbria while they consolidate their positions in Lombardy anti along the River Po i» the opinion of the Daily Telegraph’s correspondent with the Eighth Army at Foggia. He adds that it looks like being demolitions, demolitions, all the way back with occasional minor rearguard actions.

“It is clear the Germans in their policy of demolition are likely to be lust as ruthless in the country of their ,'ormer ally as they have shown themselves wherever they have conducted retreats, whether in Europe or Africa. The progress of the Eighth Army during the coming weeks should be judged in the light of this prospect. “The weather is now beginning to deteriorate. A tropical downpour probably heralds the beginning of the rainy season. Such circumstances will favour the enemy rather than ourSel “Sv.perficially, it does not look as if there is going to be any short-cut for the Eighth Army. The physical configuration of Italy compels the Fifth Army and the Eighth Army to niaintain entirely distinct routes, both by land and sea.” He adds that the progress of the main body of the Eighth Army is unlikely to be marked by any sensational military clashes during the coming A correspondent with the Filth Army says the Germans’ resistance in the mountains north-west of Salerno cracked suddenly because they were fought completely to a standstill. “Many came in as captives. Strong, burlv men of first-line German units, stumbled because of theirweariness like old men. They were unshaven and dirty. I have never seen Germans so broken in spirit and morale. There was fear in their eyes and defeat in the very manner m winch they slouched along." A. B. Austin, with the Fifth Army, exiled the road to Naples as "The Road to Death.” He adds: “For years this valley will be remembered as the scene of one «f the hardest victories of the war.”