RAIN AND SNOWSTORMS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 273, 18 November 1943, Page 5

RAIN AND SNOWSTORMS

BAD WEATHER IN ITALY SLOW ADVANCE BY ALLIES (By TeUgraph--Presß Association—Copyright) Lecd. 7J.-> p.m. Loudon, Nov. 16. Along the whole Italian front the Allies are battling in rain and snowstorms against increased German resistance. General Alexander has slipped his offensive machine into low gear to overcome the mud and slush hi the mountains,” said one correspondent. The Eighth Army continues to edge forward to level up its line along the Sangro River. It has strengthened its hold north of recently-captured Atessa, gaining' new heights. Advanced units moving forward from positions 20 miles inland e “ s , , v , l ,‘? detachment at Montazzoli, six miles north oi Lntish-held Castiglione. The Germans are expected to put up a hard hght for Montazzoli, which overlooks the Sangro Valiev four miles distant.

The Fifth Army has advanced three miles beyond Rionero, southwest of Castel di Sangro. It repelled two strong German coun-ter-attacks north-west of Isernia, where the Germans threw in the 29th Panzer Grenadier Division, which suffered heavy’ casualties.

Persistent bad weather on both fronts limited actions by armies in Italy yesterday, states a correspondent at Allied headquarters. Eighth Army patrols made a few sorties across the River Sangro against dements four miles east of the Sangro at a place roughly 20 miles from its estuary. The Fifth Army continued active defence and two counter-attacks by the enemy were repulsed, but one feature of the hill of Montcrote, north of Venafro, was yielded. Algiers radio stated that the Eighth Army occupied high ground north of Atessa.

Twenty miles of mountainous country which constitutes the German winter line faces the Fifth Army, and these rugged hills several enemy divisions have dug strong positions, states a news agency war correspondent. At Castelforte on Monday one group of enemy troops flew a Swastika flag which was plainly visible from our forward posts. Patrolling was the onlv_ activity along the front, but explosions could be seen where the Germans were carrying out demolitions.

Paris radio . reports that General Montgomery is continuing to mass troops and seems to be waiting for artillery reiiforcements before resuming large-scale operations. For the first time in its history, the Eighth Army is in greatcoats, states Reuter’s correspondent. The troops are wearing their battledress, and also a leather jerkin with a heavy greatcoat on top and a muffler and gloves. They are standing by their guns along the Sangro from its mouth to the upper reaches in the snowcovered Apennines. It is a different cold from the dry, cold desert nights; there is mud, slush, sleet, snow and ice. k