HELD FIRMLY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 November 1943, Page 4

HELD FIRMLY

IN SPITE OF GERMAN EFFORTS EIGHTH ARMY FOOTHOLD NORTH OF SANGRO EFFECTIVE AIR SUPPORT (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) .(Received This Day, 11.35 a.m.) LONDON, November 26. Despite determined German resistance, the Eighth Army has consolidated its newly-gained bridgeheads across the Sangro, states “The Times” Algiers correspondent. Bad weather and extensive flooding, however, have slowed down further the British forward movement north of the Sangro. Persistent German attempts to cut off communications across the river thus far have been unsuccessful. The North-West American Air Force bombed and wiped out anti-aircraft units, machine-gun posts and gun emplacements immediately ahead of the Eighth Army line. German troop concentrations between Lanciano and Pescara were also attacked from the air, anti-personnel bombs having a devastating effect. Prisoners captured in the forward areas confirm the demoralising results of recent bombing. The Eighth Army gained some high ground northwest of Castel Di Sangro, which now appears to be practically encircled. Our patrols are active in the Alfedena area, where enemy resistance continues to be very strong. It can now be revealed that the American Forty-Fifth Division is in Italy. It is drawn mainly from Oklahoma and Colorado and made a fine name for itself in Sicily and Was later among the first American troops in the Salerno landings. The Berlin radio stated that Mussolini’s Republican Fascist Army had been in action against the British and had suffered heavy casualties.