RAIN AND MUD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 October 1943, Page 4

RAIN AND MUD

HAMPERING MOVEMENTS IN ITALY CONDITIONS ON VOLTURNO 1 FRONT CLOSE WATCH ON RIVER ' CROSSINGS (British Official Wireless.) j (Received This Day, 10.22 a.m.) 1 RUGBY, October 10. . - Recent rains have turned the I country along the River Volturno into marshy swamps, which in many places have greatly impeded movement off the roads. Rains in the hills have also widened and deepened the river. These difficulties, however, are not considered insurmountable. According to messages from the front, both sides are watching closely from observation > points on the opposite banks. There are exchanges of small-arms and heavier fire, including that of German six-barrelled multiple mortars. In certain dangerous spots, under direct observation on either side, any living thing appearing is immediately shot at. Active infantry patrolling across the river continues, particularly where a crossing can be made unseen. Signs are that the enemy is massing considerable forces, ready to counter-attack should the Fifth Army make a crossing. It is believed that the Germans have armoured forces in readiness, though the deployment of tanks is most difficult, owing to ditches, canals, orchards and high walls round fields and bordering the roads. Moreover, as long as the Germans hold the high ground north of Capua, their artillery would dominate every Allied movement. German prisoners are reported to be more or less convinced that the war is going against them. The bombing of Germany has had a great effect on the morale of the soldiers in Italy. Letters from German homes get through the censors, to tell the troops of the plight of Germany. Of 2,000 prisoners taken by the Fifth Army, many used the word “catastrophe" to describe the Allied bombing. ENEMY DEFENCE LINE USE OF ITALIAN FOBCED . : LABOUR. !■ • (Received This Day, 12.55 p.m.) LONDON, October 10. The Germans are pressing Italians into forced labour to build a line of fortications across the coastal bottleneck, 10 to 15 miles north of the Volturno River, where the Appenine foothills ram close to the sea. The German forces are exnected to fight doggedly until this line is ready for their retirement.

CROSSING ATTEMPT REPORTED BY GERMANS ASSAULT FORCES ALLEGEDLY THROWN BACK (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.20 p.m.) LONDON, October 10. Convoy vehicles in an unending stream are bringing up supplies for the next stage of the Allied drive northward. Both the Fifth and Eighth armies are consolidating their positions, preparing men and equipment for a continuation of the drive northwards. The Berlin radio stated that British forces at the western end of the Italian front became active yesterday. After a few days of passivity, the British attempted to cross the river near the coast road and railway. An attack against the railway bridge, carried out by a strong assault group, accompanied this action. The enemy radio claimed that the assault forces were thrown back.