EIGHTH ARMY SUCCESS

Waikato Times, Volume 193, Issue 22190, 9 November 1943, Page 3

EIGHTH ARMY SUCCESS

ON DOMINATING HEIGHTS SHELLING THE DEFENCES (United Press Assn.—Elec. T*l. Copyright) (Received Nov. 9, 11.40 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 8 The Eighth Army, massed along the heights dominating ‘he Sangro Valley, started shelling the Germen defences at dusk yesterday. This strong river line, guarding the road to Pescara, is the broadest waterline the Eighth Army has faced m Italy and the army must tight the heaviest engagements of its Italian campaign in order to cross and establish bridgeheads. General Montgomery’s men raced forward from their Trigno bridgeheads to edge the high ground overlooking the broad Sangro valley. Then, having completed the Trigno crossing, the Eighth Army’s tanks and infantry reached high, ground in the area of Casalbordino. The Germans hit back in a stiff delaying action. However, it is only a temporary check to the Eighth Army. The Germans are now massed cn the north bank of the Sangro. Meantime on the other side of Italy the Germans appear to be preparing to evacuate the port of Gaeta. Allied troops in the Fifth Army front line, nine miles across the bay from Gaeta, can hear explosions similar to those heard before the Germans evacuated Naples. Further inland the Allied troops who captured Calabrito are approaching Garigliano, at a point where the river swerves northward. The Fifth Army’s right flank north of Venafro had to meet determined counter-attacks, made with fresh troops. Our advance on the heights west of Isernia was difficult, but our line advanced several miles northwest of Isernia. Assaults and Fast Pursuits “At dusk this evening (Sunday) the Eighth Army tank crews and infantrymen could look down from high ground on to the wide valley of the Sangro river,” cables a correspondent with the Eighth Army. “In assaults and fast pursuits they had driven the main German forces across the river into prepared defences. This afternoon, as one column pressed on through Casalbordino, another moved down the lateral road, driving 'the Germans west of the road into difficult mountain country further west, and another swung an armoured punch into the hills between Scerni and Paglieta There was little German resistance save for accurate mortar and machinegun fire on the road from determined little groups left behind and abandoned in the hills.

“As I ran the gauntlet of their mortar fire on the mountain road early this afternoon I knew that the bridges across the Sangro river be * hind them had already been blown up. The weather broke tonight into heavy rain, which may well affect the speed with which the Eighth Army can assault the Sangro line. The Germans are said to have employed thousands of Italian civilians, as well as their own soldiers, in building a line of trenches and weapon pits along the high ground running about five miles back from ;he Sangro river.” Towns and Villages Captured

A land communique stfides: On the Fifth Army’s front several coun-ter-attacks were repulsed and further advances were made. Eighth Army troops, including Indian units, made progress. The town of Carusehio and the villages of Casalbordino and Shemi were captured. Casalbordino is some 20 miles north-west of Vasto, on the river Inelvo.

An air communique states: Medium bombers of the North-west African Air Force attacked the harbour of Aucona on Sunday, while others attacked Ulcinj, in Yugoslavia. Medium and light bombers, fighterbombers and fighters were over the battle area, attacking gun positions, rail communications, road junctions and troop concentrations. Fighter-bombers, escorted by fighters, attacked the harbour of Split, on the Dalmation coast. One vessel was left sinking and a large petrol dump was hit. One of our' aircraft is missing. It is now known that two additional enemy aircraft were destroyed on November 6.