FORCED BY THE EIGHTH ARMY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 November 1943, Page 3

FORCED BY THE EIGHTH ARMY

Bridgehead Established and Firmly Held

DEEP DENT DRIVEN INTO GERMAN WINTER LINE

GENERAL MONTGOMERY PRAISES HIS TROOPS

LONDON, November 25. In Italy the Eighth Army has forced a crossing of the Sangro River and established a bridgehead on the north bank on a front of 9,000 yards and to a depth of two thousand yards. General Montgomery told correspondents that the establishment of the bridgehead had been a very tough business indeed. British soldiers once again had risen to great heights in most appalling weather conditions. “The bridgehead,’’ General Montgomery added, “is very firmly held, In fact it is secure now. We have got what we wanted. ’ ’

It was stated earlier that though the ground now occupied is part of the area of the German “winter line,” the advance does not constitute an actual break in that line, as the enemy defences extend several miles in depth. A deep dent has, however, been driven into the line.

The German view of the position is indicated in their repeated and desperate counter-attacks. A German prisoner said: “We German troops have been ordered to hold on to our positions, whatever the cost. ’ ’

The first British troops to cross the Sangro River waded through two feet of icy water. As soon as the enemy awoke to what was happening he opened up a storm of mortar and machine-gun fire. Through a. terrific hail of steel our sappers crossed the river and proceeded to clear up enemy minefields on the opposite bank. On Monday night engineers set about building a bridge and as soon as this was completed additional troops poured across. Allied aircraft are giving the ground forces maximum support, A dense cloud of black smoke hangs over the enemy positions beyond the bridgehead. The weather has improved somewhat and our forces are making the most of this, On the Fifth Army front things have been fairly quiet.