FURIOUS BATTLE BEING FOUGHT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 September 1943, Page 3

FURIOUS BATTLE BEING FOUGHT

Germans Counter-Attacking Desperately SOME GROUND RETAKEN BY ENEMY BUT ALLIES PUTTING STRONG REINFORCEMENTS ASHORE LONDON, September 14. Crack German troops and panzer units are going all out in an effort to weaken the Allied grip on the Salerno bridgehead. Correspondents emphasise' the ferocity of the German counter-attacks. The enemy is fighting with bitter determination, well aware of the enormous issues which are at ,stake. ■yVithin 100 miles of the bridgehead in two directions, the Eighth Army is closing in and more airfields have fallen into Allied hands. The fighting for the Salerno bridgehead is the most furious conflict of the whole Mediterranean war and the battle ranges backwards and forwards, The latest news is that the Germans have managed to retake some of the ground they had lost and that strong Allied reinforcements have been put ashore. The enemy counterattacks are supported by a considerable number of aircraft. Allied fighters are doing a wonderful job and are flying many hundreds of sorties a day in order to keep an umbrella over the bridgehead. Bombers are keeping up a constant attack on enemy communications, troop concentrations and transport. » EIGHTH ARMY ADVANCING RAPIDLY Continuing its rapid advance up the foot of Italy, the Eighth Army has. captured the important railway junction of Cosenza, 40 miles north-west of Cotrone, the latest Allied communique reports. The troops are now advancing unchecked except by demolitions. The Taranto-Brindisi line is now strongly occupied. Civilian and Italian military forces' have collaborated in organising the bridgehead.