CAMPAIGN IN ITALY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 272, 17 November 1943, Page 5

CAMPAIGN IN ITALY

ALLIES PREPARE NEW LANDING GERMAN “SCORCHED EARTH” POLICY I (By Telegraph -Press Association—Copyright) Recd. I lp.m. London, Nov. 16. Axis reports claim that Allied warships and transports are concentrating off Naples in preparation for a new landing behind the German positions on the west coast of Italy. They are also forecasting a new Eighth Army offensive Meanwhile, according to Allied correspondents, the Germans are carrying out a violent “scorched earth’’ policy. Reuter’s correspondent with the Eighth Army says that night after night the sky over the mountains behind the enemy lines is lit by a red glow.

The Germans are setting on fire villages from which they are removing everything of value and destroying every house in which British troops might possibly be billeted. They have already driven every inhabitant, from the oldest woman to the youngest child, from seven villages. The Germans are destroying all facilities in the harbours of Pescara and Ortona and have also blown up all bridges over the Sangro River."