GERMAN RETREAT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 October 1943, Page 3

GERMAN RETREAT

SOME RATHER CONFLICTING REPORTS WAY OPENED FOR ANOTHER THRUST. TOWARDS HUB OF ENEMY COMMUNICATIONS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.0 a.m.) LONDON, October 26. The Germans in Italy are moving back to new defensive positions, and the Fifth and Eighth armies report less opposition to their forward movement. “There is every reason to believe,” says the National Broadcasting Corporation’s Algiers correspondent, “that this new German line will be a tougher nut to crack than any so far met with. The new retreat seems to be in its final stage, and the Germans are expected to make a stand soon.” The new line to which the Germans are withdrawing runs from Mondragone, through the mountains towards Venafro and to Vasto. The Eighth Army today advanced several miles along a 40-mile front. It is stated by the Algiers radio that the Eighth Army’s advance to Boianq forced the Germans to withdraw from the Baranello area ,where they had been attempting violent counter-attacks. Baranello was the strategic centre commanding the German defences north-east of the Apennines. Boiano is five miles west of Vinchiaturo, on the main road from Foggia to Rome. The capture of Spinets ,which is nearly four miles north of Boiano, brings the Eighth Army within 13 miles of Isernia. Reuter’s correspondent at Allied headquarters says that with the capture of Boiano and Baranello, in addition to other important mountain positions, the way is open for another thrust towards Isernia, which is a vital German communications hub.

ITALY & BALKANS

ROMMEL IN SUPREME ’ COMMAND. KESSELRING TRANSFERRED. LONDON, October 26. Air Marshal Kesselring has been relieved of his position as'field commander in Italy, and replaced by Lieuten-ant-General Wittinghoff, under FieldMarshal Rommel, who is now supreme commandei’ in Italy and the Balkans.

Wittinghoff is described as a tank expert who commanded a tank division in the French campaign. It is understood that Kesselring has taken up an air command on the Russian front.