POSITIONS HELD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 November 1943, Page 3

POSITIONS HELD

AGAINST REPEATED COUNTER=ATTACKS AIR BOMBARDMENT OF GERMAN DEFENCES. BRIDGEHEAD IN COASTAL ZONE. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.20 a.m.) RUGBY, November 25. Allied Headquarters reports that the Sangro bridgehead has been firmly held against repeated German counterattacks. The weather conditions are bad, but the Tactical Air Force, in spite of very bad flying conditions, has supported the operations. “Fifth Army patrols were active. Enemy artillery was in action on both fronts. Bad weather continues. Medium bombers, fighter-bombers and fighters co-operated with the army in the battle area, attacking positions south of Lanciano and Fosseacia. “Railways and industrial targets in 'Turin were attacked last night.” The Eighth Army is now firmly established in the enemy forward positions across the Sangro River, near the coast, and has been able to hold the ground gained despite repeated and vigorous counter-attacks, says a correspondent. The position of the Eighth five mile broad bridgehead is indicated by the defended places in the battle area attacked from the air. Lanciano is six miles from the Adriatic and five miles beyond the Sangro, and Fossaecia is 1| miles from the sea and 2-J miles across the river.

The Algiers radio says the crossing was made in the early hours of Saturday. The attacking troops crossed open ground covered by minefields towards the escarpment a mile beyond the river. A correspondent says the Germans are active in the region of Castel di Sangro, but have been held off by heavy artillery fire.