POWERFUL ATTACK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 November 1943, Page 3

POWERFUL ATTACK

OPENED BY EIGHTH ARMY IN ITALY

' NEW ZEALAND TROOPS FIGHTING ON SANGRO FRONT

GOOD EARLY PROGRESS

IN ONSLAUGHT LAUNCHED AT DAWN After Intense Artillery and Air Bombardment . GERMANS DRIVEN OUT OF VITAL GROUND CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF PRISONERS TAKEN LONDON. November 29. In Italy British, Indian and New Zealand troops attacked at dawn yesterday from the Sangro bridgehead and at a point 14 miles inland from the Adriatic coast. The Germans counterattacked immediately, using flame-throwers, but available news indicates that the Allied forces have made good progress. This is the first time New Zealanders have been officially mentioned on the Italian war front. Stating that it is too early yet to give precise details, a correspondent adds that it is certain the enemy has been forced to give up ground that is absolutely vital to him. The —Hied troops also have captured a considerable number of prisoners. The attack was preceded by an artillery barrage which even by Eighth Army standards is described as extremely heavy. Intense air attacks by Allied fighters and bombers also helped to pave the way for the offensive. The Allied onslaught was launched from the sangro bridgehead, near the coast, and also against an enemy-occupied town 14 miles inland. After being captured this position was retaken by ‘the Germans in a counter-attack. Then the Allies took it iPrisoners thus far taken are thoroug’hly demoralised by the bombing and shelling they have endured. The Germans may be reserving’their best troops for the defence of the core of their winter line, which our forces have not quite reached yet. Forty German bombers which attempted to attack the Allied troops were quickly dealt with by Spitfires. Each wave of bombers was driven back and compelled to jettison its bombs. Three of the enemy machines were shot down. In a report just received, one correspondent says: “Yesterday morning’ I stood on a hill overlooking the Sangro biidgehead and saw the barrage that preceded our attack. It was overwhelming. Every part of the objective was a mass of flame and smoke. Then the skies became alive with aircraft. The appearance of a few Focke-Wulfs was followed by that of waves of our Spitfires and bombers. General Montgomery s troops struck from the Sangro bridgehead and also 14 miles inland at a piece of high ground which changed hands several times.’’ The New Zealanders advanced for a mile m an area for which the Germans fought inch by inch. On the Fifth Army front there has been rising patrol activity, in which enemy prisoners have been taken. American troops flung back an attack in one sector. In extended air operations the Allies lost seven planes. The enemy lost six.

DEFINITE SUCCESS FIRST BRIDGEHEAD STRENGTHENED AND ANOTHER ESTABLISHED. ENEMY COUNTER-ATTACKS REPELLED. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.0 a.m.) RUGBY, November 29. The success of the operations in Italy on Sunday was the result of brilliant action and counter-action in the coastal area, where the Eighth Army not only strengthened its bridgehead, but established a second bridgehead some 14 miles inland and nine miles from the left flank of the first bridgehead, states a correspondent. Great efforts have been made during the last few days at Archi and it as a result of these operations that Sunday’s successes were obtained. After establishing a bridgehead, our troops advanced into high ground north of the river. Here the Germans threw in a heavy counter-attack and the troops lost some of the high ground, but they attacked again and, not only succeeded «in recovering the ground lost, but advanced further.

Just before daylight on Sunday British, Indian and New Zealand troops launched an attack which as usual had been preceded by an exceedingly heavy artillery barrage and by fine cooperation from- the air force, with the result that 4he enemy was hard hit when General Montgomery sent in his infantry at almost full daylight. The Eighth Army attack went on and many prisoners were taken, a large proportion of them being Poles and Frenchmen from Lorraine, who had been impressed into the German forces. Although the German positions were well fortified and strongly held, nearly all the prisoners were suffering from demoralisation as a result of shelling and bombing. By reaching these positions we have now struck at the outer edge of the enemy’s main winter defensive line. The ■ Germans evidently were prepared for a move of this sort and launched a series of counter-attacks, during which they used tanks and flame-throwers. They also used some 40 aircraft in four waves to strafe our advancing troops. Each wave, was intercepted and forced to jettison its

bombs and a number of enemy aircraft were destroyed. On the Fifth Army front German artillery fire has greatly increased. In an area beyond Venafro the enemy made a strong counter-attack, which the Americans repulsed. In the north our troops made progress, capturing important ground and sending out numerous patrols. A spectacular air battle took place near the south coast of France when Marauders, with Lightning escort, encountered fourteen enemy fighters and destroyed five of the enemy. In the whole day’s activity eight enemy aircraft were destroyed. Seven of ours failed to return.