OFFENSIVE LAUNCHED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 September 1943, Page 3

OFFENSIVE LAUNCHED

ALL ALONG FIFTH ARMY FRONT Stubborn German Opposition in Hills Covering Naples GENERALS CLARK & MONTGOMERY CONFER “GOING UP ITALY SIDE BY SIDE” LONDON, September 24. On the Italian front, the British and Americans have launched an offensive all along the Fifth Army’s front. Fierce fighting is reported. British troops are in action against the Germans guarding the main road to Naples. A correspondent says that although the Allied forces are only a few miles from the plains of Naples they find it very tough going in the mountain defiles. The Germans are putting up a most stubborn resistance and making great use of the natural cover of the country. Even in the plains there are disguised blockhouses and machine-gun posts. These plains were heavily fortified by the Italians to meet a possible seaborne invasion. On the right flank of the British troops the Americans have taken a village, which represents an advance of six miles. The Eighth Army is pushing on rapidly in the face of light opposition and has advanceod 34 miles in as many hours. General Montgomery, commander of the Eighth Army, and General Clark, commander of the Fifth Army, met today at the Fifth Army’s headquarters. General Montgomery said that future operations were discussed. He added that they were going up Italy side by side. In Corsica, French and other Allied troops have occupied two places in the south of the island and the Germans continue to withdraw towards Bastia. French reports state that raids on Bastia have made it almost useless. Two ships leaving with war material were sunk, ammunition dumps have been blown up and tanks awaiting embarkation destroyed. Some enemy transport aircraft have also been shot down.