CROSSED BY FIFTH ARMY SPEARHEAD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 October 1943, Page 3

CROSSED BY FIFTH ARMY SPEARHEAD

Heavy Fighting on Adriatic Flank GERMANS USING TANKS AGAINST EIGHTH ARMY SMASHING AIR ATTACKS ON ENEMY REAR COMMUNICATIONS LONDON, October 6. Heavy fighting is reported in Italy at the Adriatic end of the Eighth Army’s front. The Fifth Army, in the west, has reached a lake 10 miles from the mouth of the Volturno River. In the mountainous central sector the Germans are also strongly resisting. At one point a spearhead of the Fifth Army is reported to have already crossed the Volturno River, but the main body has not yet reached the river. The Allied progress is as steady as the enemy’s resistance is stubborn. Yesterday, the Allies captured two towns within ten miles of Capua, which is the key of the Volturno River line. On the Adriatic coast the Germans are fighting hard against the Eighth Army. They are using tanks to support their infantry in counter-attacks. The Eighth Army is threatening the enemy’s flank. Over and behind the battle area Allied bombers have been pounding the main roads and railways on the enemy’s line of retreat. Last night Wellington bombers made a devastating attack on a big German airfield midway between Leghorn and Rome. They blew up hangars and left twelve aircraft blazing on the ground.