GENERAL OFFENSIVE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 November 1943, Page 3

GENERAL OFFENSIVE

ANTICIPATED BY VICHY RADIO NIGHT AND DAY BATTLE ON SANGRO. INDIAN TROOPS BEAT DOWN FIERCE OPPOSITION. I (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 10.35 a.m.) LONDON, November 25. “The weather is holding up the launching of a British and American offensive,” says the Vichy radio. “Everything indicates that there will be a general attack as soon as the Allies have assembled considerable forces south of the Sangro and Garigliano. Describing how the bridgehead across the Sangro was secured, Reuter’s correspondent with the Eighth Army says sappers throughout the night constructed bridges .encountering only spasmodic fire ,but when dawn broke the German artillery opened up against the bridges, which were then completed. British advanced units crossed the bridges under a heavy barrage, repelled bitter German counter-attacks, and prepared the way for reinforcements. Indian troops displayed great fighting qualities in the battle. They beat down fierce opposition in their sector. The Eighth Army has taken Monte Nero, six miles south of Alfedena, Caprecotta, six miles north-west of Agnone, and also Valcocchiaro, in the Campobasso Province. The Eighth Army artillery in the Castel Di Sango area today heavily pounded the Germans, who are putting up a stiff resistance. Brisk skirmishes went on in the Alfedena area.

Patrolling and sharp artillery exchanges continue on the Fifth Army front, where rain is pouring down. It is not likely that the stalemate on this front will be ended until the weather clears.