DELAYED REPORT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 December 1943, Page 4

DELAYED REPORT

NEW ZEALAND ATTACK NORTH OF THE SANGRO. MANY GERMAN PRISONERS TAKEN. (Official War Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) EIGHTH ARMY FRONT (No date given.) In a steady advance yesterday afternoon and last night, New Zealand troops have broken through the Germans’ prepared defences north of the Sangro River. Our forces suffered some casualties, but they were not heavy considering the importance of the advance. Enemy counter-attacks in moderate force were withstood. So many prisoners have been taken that they are proving an embarrassment, and messages have been sent back asking that the troops be relieved of these encumbrances. Our infantry at dawn today entered a village which, during the past few days, had been one of our main bombing objectives. They found it littered with German dead. The main opposition to our infantry was from motors and machine guns, and there were many booby traps and mines. Despite all opposition, the New Zealanders forced the Germans from

their strong dug-in defences. By the time they reached them, our troops found these positions were not fully manned, but there were still plenty of Germans to be taken prisoner. Features overlooking the lateral road were occupied by midnight, and at dawn the New Zealanders entered a stricken village which was batteied and wrecked to such a state as they had not see nbefore. A broad highway was shelled solidly by the enemy, but our guns continued on, directing their fire at mortar and machine-gun posts as they went. Prisoners taken seemed to be pleased to be finished with the war, which, since the opening of the attack on the Sangro line, had brought on them a tci - rific weight of air and ground pounding. Evidence of the strength of this attack was to be seen on all sides, and enemy casualties must have been heavy. Our infantry attack, which was by no means full-scale; was a complete success, achieved at minimum cost. It is too early yet to assess the enemy losses in equipment.