EASTERN SECTOR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 December 1943, Page 3

EASTERN SECTOR

GERMANS HOLDING STRONG LINE BETWEEN SEA & MOUNTAINS. GOOD MANOEUVRING GROUND BEYOND. (British Official Wireless.? (Received This Day, 9.50 a.m.) RUGBY, .December 13. Overcast weather, with the ground in a very soft condition, has again interfered with the advance of the Fifth Army in. the coastal area, where the Germans are fighting desperately, states a correspondent at Allied Headquarters. The on the Eighth Army front have thrown in three divisions on a 15 mile defence line running from the sea, through Ortona and Orsogna, to the western mountain range of Maiella, which rises to 8,000 feet. The two anchors of this defence line are the Adriatic on the enemy left flank and Guardiagrele on his • right flank. The divisions defending it are the 19th Panzer Grena'diers (pitted against the Canadians on the coast), the 26th Panzer Division, in the centre, and the 65th Infantry Division on the right flank. In addition to these the Germans have brought in Alpine units in the mountains. This is indeed a strong front, where our troops will, when they break through, find good ground for manoeuvres. We shall undoubtedly use the pick of the Eighth Arms” troops, including the New Zea- ' landers and the Indians who are now in General Alexander’s army. We captured yesterday some high ground overlooking Ortona and are within two miles of this city. Further inland, our advance has brought our artillery close enough to the lateral road from Ortona to Orsogna to prevent the enemy holding it under our heavy shelling. During a recent tour of the Italian front, the Canadian Defence Minister (Mr Ralston) met Generals Eisenhower, Alexander and Montgomery. He said: “The outstanding impressions of my tour were the youth and keenness of the commanders and the faith the men had in them. Both officers and men exhibit qualities of self-reliance. They seem to have found themselves and are confident they can do their job.” VISITING OFFICERS SOVIET AND AMERICAN GENERALS LONDON, December 12. Russian officers, including General Vasiliev, who captured Perekop, for which he received the honour of Hero of the Soviet Union, have just visited the Fifth Army front. They were impressed by the weather and the difficulties of terrain facing the British and American forces.