VOLTURNO ATTACK SUCCESSFUL

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 18, 16 October 1943, Page 5

VOLTURNO ATTACK SUCCESSFUL

Few Germans Remain On River’s Bank BRIDGES THROWN ACROSS (By .Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) ■ ■ LONDON, October 15. The Allied attack on the Volturno River front has been successful. By last evening few Germans were left on the north bank of the river, and already bridges have been thrown across to carry all the necessary weapons and vehicles. Americans on the right flank combed out enemy positions in the hills north-east of Capua. The country immediately north of the river is completely dominated by the Allied guns. Our troops have encountered minefields. /

The French radio at Algiers gives an unconfirmed report that Vinchiatura, on the central sector in Italy, has been captured.

Earlier reports said that Allied tanks and guns were pouring across the Volturno River, and our bridgeheads were well established. Rome radio admitted that in the Capua region British armoured forces penetrated the German defence system to a considerable depth. Berlin radio yesterday stated that an Allied landing was made from the sea near Caste! Volturno, on the north shore of the Volturno estuary. Reuter’s correspondent said that the extension of our bridgeheads over the Volturno enabled heavier weapons to reach the vanguards of the Fifth Army. The Allies have immense reserves and also every conceivable weapon for this big push. The British United Press said that the significance of the first bridgeheads was that they lay on both sides of the road from Capua across the fertile plains of Campania, the main route to Rome. The crossing of the Volturno must rank as the most important Allied military success since the capture of Naples. Bitter German Defence.

LONDON, October 14. Cairo radio tonight'declared that Allied forces had already cut the main road to Rome north of Capua on the north side of the Volturno. Allied forces on the central sector were about seven miles from Vinchiatura.

Ou the right flank the Fifth Army advanced north of the Calore River to Guardia, eight miles northcast of the confluence ot the Volturno and Calore Rivers. This is an urgent threat for the Germans on the western sector. The fighting is as bitter as at any time in the whole campaign. Though some of the German divisions are very tired they are evidently attempting to hold us in the south as long as possible. In.the Eighth Army district rearguard actions were fought and these led to severe fighting. Our patrols have been very active. One occupied a position five

miles southeast of the important town of Campobasso. Our advnce was of four to five miles.

According to Algiers radio, forces of the Eighth Army are now attacking on the Volturno plain behind the German lines. Other forces continue to advance along the Foggia-Vinchiaturo road. The Allied attack now threatens the entire network of roads from Termoli, Foggia, and Benevento toward Vinchiatura. Retreat From Volturno. Having crossed the Volturno River and breached the German lines, the Allied armour is fanning out in all directions from the north bank and threatens to isolate Kesselring's troops. Reuter’s correspondent at Allied headquarters declared that Kesselring’s army is wilting under General Clark’s punches and falling back tonight toward the Cariglino River, about 18 miles north of the Volturno and to the mountains which run down to the sea just beyond the river. The Germans are expected to make a stand here. The Fifth Army’s offensive was one of the heaviest of the Italian campaign. A great weight of men and metal was thrown in. Though the Fifth Army used assault -boats and other craft to cross the Volturno, many troops swam across the river. Engineers bridged the river under fire to get the armour over. The Columbia Broadcasting System’s correspondent said that the battle for Rome has begun. . A feature of the Volturno battle is once more the first-class support by the Allied air forces. Fighter-bombers have smashed at enemy troops, tanks, and roads and bridges, and have also struck still further back. American Mitchells -bombed areas behind the enemy, and Marauders practically wiped out the Ger-man-held town of Alife, which is 15 miles northeast of Capua. North of Rome Wellingtons attacked the main electrical railway. . On the Adriatic sector British and American fighter-bombers have been making difficulties for the German forces opposing the Eighth Army.