ONLY ONE BRIDGEHEAD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 November 1943, Page 4

ONLY ONE BRIDGEHEAD

NOW HELD BY GERMANS ON LEROS GALLANT EFFORT BY BRITISH & ITALIANS, NUMEROUS PRISONERS TAKEN. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) (Received This Day, 9.25 a.m.) LONDON, November 16. The British forces on Leros have again joined up and the Germans now hold only one bridgehead, which is east of Gurna Bay, on the west coast, stated the Algiers radio. The British and Italians, after four days of battle, improved their positions against the Germans sent to reinforce the original force. The enemy north-east of /Leros lost ground and suffered considerable losses. British and Italian troops in coun-ter-attacks, effectively supported, by the R.A.F., captured numerous prisoners. The Berlin radio admits that the Germans on Leros are now on the defensive, but claims that British and Italian attempts to break the German bridgehead have failed. NAVAL PATROLS MAINTAINED IN AEGEAN. SUPPORT GIVEN TO LEROS GARRISON. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.55 a.m.) RUGBY, November 16. A special naval communique, issued in Alexandria, states: “During receil weeks Allied naval units have maintained constant patrols in the Aegean. A number of successful attacks have been carried out against enemy shipping, landing craft and supply vessels. The ports of enemy-occupied islands have been bombarded on several occasions, a medium merchant ship and a number of small craft being destroyed. Bombardments have also been earned out in support of the garrison on Leros. The above operations have been conducted under frequent air attack and in spite of the enemy's local air superiority.” .