THREE COLUMNS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 17, 15 October 1943, Page 5

THREE COLUMNS

Allied Attack In Italy WHOLE NAZI LINE MENACED (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received October 14, 10 p.m.) LONDON, October 13. The Allied forces in Italy are now attacking in three distinct columns, stated Algiers radio today. The first, starting from Foggia, and consisting ot Eighth Army units, is advancing in the direction of Borne. The second, consisting also of Eighth Army units, starting from tli& Ternioli area, and the third, the right flank of the Fifth Army, are penetrating into valleys of the Apennines. .. Thus rhe entire German line ou the Volturno River is menaced. Adverse weather conditions continue. General Alexander s army group, sui „ in- forward on the central front in Itaij, is now menacing Vinchiaturo, n J rat eg ically important town on the 1 oggia-Rome highway, and is tightening the net round the Germans’ 20-milc escape e a PThe Allied grip along the whole hue from Naples to Ternioli is strengthening. The right flank of the Fifth Army has captured Santa Croce, 10 miles southeast of Vinchiaturo, and the Eighth Army has occupied Bonefro, four miles from the Termoli-Naples highway, anti also Riccia. The capture of Santa Croce further increases the outflanking peril to Air Marshal Kesselring’s SO,OOO men and the panzers assembled north ot the ' oiturno. Assault on Escape Gap. Reuter’s correspondent reports that the major part of the assault against the escape gap is occurring on the Eiglitn Army’s front. The central sector of the German salient is steadily being reduced as the Allies fight their way forward. General Montgomery’s men are encountering very tough going and strong enemy resistance. The fighting is particularly severe north-west of Colletorte, five miles south-south-west, of Santa Croce, where the. Germans have made determined bids to keep the northern edge of the escape gap intact. . t The swift advance against.' incbiatui o has straightened the Allied line. As the Allied columns close in against the town Allied fighters and fighter-bombers are smashing gun positions in the path of the land advance. In the eastern coastal sector tremendous artillery duels are occurring across the Volturno River. American self-pro-pelled guns are laying down devastating barrages against the German front-line strong-points as General Clark is massing his forces south of the river. American patrols, ferrying across the Volturno, had many brushes against German outposts. , . The British United Press says that violent artillery engagements across the Volturno are apparently a prelude to an Allied drive across the swollen river. The correspondents add that along along the Adriatic coast road the Germans are putting tip a stone-wall defence, trying to prevent an Allied break-through to Pescara, the capture of which would enable us to swing to Rome.

“Desert Rats” Reuter Reports that the famous “Desert Rats” are again in action with the Eighth Army in Italy. They are threatening the German right flank from the west, while, in the centre infantry is pushing forward, folding up the German artillery rearguards. Cairo radio stated that Germans who attempted to cross the Volturno at Castelvoiturno in rubber boats were driven back with heavy casualties. According to Algiers radio, 4000 Germans who attempted'the crossing were wiped out to a man. \ Reuter says that the Fifth Army’s movements are considerably hampered by thousands of civilians, carrying their belongings, who escaped from the fighting, areas and are roaming southward. Cairo radio stated that Naples harbour is again in working order.