STALEMATE IN ITALY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 November 1943, Page 3

STALEMATE IN ITALY

CAUSED BY BAD WEATHER SOME HIGH GROUND IN CENTRAL AREA. REGAINED BY AMERICANS. LONDON, November 17. Bad weather in Italy, according' to a correspondent, lias reduced the whole front to a stalemate. The Americans north of Venafro have regain-ed-some of the high ground they lost on Monday. Other reports speak of patrol action at various points. NO CHANGE DURING THREE DAYS OF VILE WEATHER. SOME MINOR ENCOUNTERS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.30 a.m.) RUGBY, November 17. A communique issued by Allied Headquarters in North Africa states: "On the ground, very bad weather conditions continue to restrict the operations of both the Fifth and Eighth armies. Patrol clashes took place and some enemy prisoners were captured.” Correspondents report no change on the front. For three days in succession, everything has contributed to make the life of the soldier miserable. High winds are blowing and heavy rain has made the mud even thicker. Bad weather has extended all along the line which at times has been completely silent, with only occasional gun flashes and thunder. An enemy patrol which ventured across the Garigliano, near the coast, was badly shot up and prisoners were taken. The Eighth Army has slightly improved its positions north of Atessa. Patrols clashed at Tornareccio, a mile from the Sangro, 15 miles north of its source. NEW LANDING ANTICIPATED BY GERMANS. ON WEST COAST OF ITALY. I — (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, November 16. Axis reports claim that Allied warships and transports are concentrating off Naples in preparation for a new landing behind the German positions on the west coast of Italy. The Axis is also forecasting a new offensive by the Eighth Army. Meanwhile, according to Allied correspondents, the Germans are carrying but a violent scorched-earth policy. Reuter’s correspondent with the Eighth Army says that night after night the sky over the mountains behind the enemy lines is lit by a red glow. The Germans are setting fire to villages, from which they are removing everything of value and destroying every house in which the British troops might possibly be billeted. They have already driven every inhabitant, from the oldest woman to the youngest child, from seven villages. The Germans are also destroying all facilities in the harbours of Pescara and Ortona, and have blown up all bridges over the Sangro River. The Paris radio reports that General Montgomery is continuing to mass troops, and seems to be waiting for artillery reinforcements before resuming large-scale operations. For the first time in its history the Eighth Army is in greatcoats, stated Reuter’s correspondent. The troops are wearing long woollen underwear under their battledress, and also a leather jerkin with a heavy greatcoat on top and a muffler and gloves to keep out the damp and cold. They are standing by their guns along the Sangro from its mouth to the upper reaches in the snow-covered' Apennines. It is a different cold from the dry, cold desert nights; there is mud, slush, sleet, snow and ice.