DEEP WEDGE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 October 1943, Page 4

DEEP WEDGE

DRIVEN BV EIGHTH ARMY INTO GERMAN CROSS-COUNTRY COMMUNICATIONS GALLANT ADVANCE MADE BY CANADIANS (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.45 a.m.) LONDON, October 24. The Eighth Army is developing a powerful new offensive along the east coast of Italy, and is standing firmly on bridgeheads gained on the north bank of the Trigno River, from which strong forces are thrusting out. Dispatches from the front say reinforcements are flowing forward without interruption for strengthening the bridgeheads and pressing home the wedge driven deep into the enemy defences. The increasing momentum of the attack along the river line is forcing the Germans back across the stream at many points. The Eighth Army, when in a position to exploit its north bank gains, will be able to move out towards the Vastoi-Isernia Road, five miles distant and then strike westward, throwing a new communication line to the troops in the west. One lateral road across Italy which crosses the Trigno River is immediately threatened. The next great lateral link is the motor road through Isernia, lyingin the Eighth Army's path, only a few miles from the spearheads which are biting into Kesselring's defences. Correspondents say the exposure of these lateral defences to attack is the principal gain of the Trigno crossing. The capture of Lucito, a few miles from Trigno and eleven miles north of Campobasso, is also most important from a communications viewpoint, because it strengthens the vital network ’in the Allied rear.

Dispatches from the Canadian front, on the Eighth Army’s left flank, show a slow and gallant advance through difficult country, under heavy shellfire. The Canadians, in capturing Campo Chiaro, had to storm their way up 2,000 feet high slopes to the town on the summit, against intense fire from German positions on the heights. Reuter’s Algiers correspondent says the capture of Campo Chiaro, though representing an advance of only five miles from Vinchiaturo, is the prelude to a further advance along the Rome Highway. Messages from the Fifth Army front say the thrust which captured Baiaelantina represents a new threat to Venafro, the eastern bastion of Kesselring’s western line, hinging on Mondragone, on the sea. Sharp clashes between Allied patrols and German rearguards are the only activity reported from the coast sector. The Algiers radio announced that General Eisenhower has gone to Italy to confer with General Clark. STEADY PROGRESS OF FIFTH & EIGHTH ARMIES AIR ACTIVITY MAINTAINED AT HIGH PRESSURE' (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.15 a.m.) RUGBY, October 24. Both the Fifth and Eighth armies are making steady progress. A North African land communique says: “On the Fifth Army front, the advance continues, despite enemy resistance and the mountainous nature of the country. Bairelatina has been captured. The Eighth Army maintains strong pressure and has crossed the Trigno River and captured Montenermo and Camp Chiaro.” The Allied air forces have continued their concentrated attacks on communications behind the enemy lines, and are giving vigorous and close support, attacking gun positions and troop concentrations in the battle areas.