exceptional opportunities for skillful defense, and the Germans, 
      as they are forced relentlessly back, are making good use of 
      these advantages. Add to this heavy persistent rains which swell 
      every river and turn every approach into a sea of mud, and we 
      have a fair picture of the background against which the Italian 
      events should be reviewed. On 8th November, after a surprise 
      sea borne Termoli, the Eighth Army pressed on end secured a bridge 
      head over the river Trigno while inland their left flank was 
      moving up through the Apennines. Meanwhile, on the west General 
      Clark's Anglo-American Fifth Army crossed the by Volturno and 
      fought their way to the next river obstacle. By the 8th, by a 
      lightening thrust most characteristic of him, General Montgomery 
      swept the Germans back across the Sangro River. The whole of 
      the rest of his line moved forward at the same time while the 
      Fifth Army kept pace in the western Apennines. It was then when, 
      as I know, our commanders felt the campaign to be developing 
      as they wished that we had another deluge and steadily worsening 
      weather conditions which called a halt along the whole group 
      of armies. That time was spent building up stocks, preparing 
      rivers and roads and getting ready for the next offensive, General 
         Montgomery waiting for a spell of fine weather.    
 
                                                            
 
 
At last it came and on the night of 27th November the Eighth 
      Army, further strengthened by the arrival of the Second New Oealand 
      Division, that most gallant veteran division, was able to launch 
      its main assault. It was preceded, as has become almost the custom 
      now, by a familiar and shattering bombardment and the full support 
      of the Royal Air Force. The 78th and the 18th Divisions, both 
      of them also veterans in fighting, advanced end secured Fossa 
      Cesia Ridge. Dowa came the rain again and still our troops fought 
      grimly on, as they are doing now to the line of the Moro and 
      beyond. Far on the left Canadians have now relieved the 78th 
      Division and they are pressin %g on towards Ortona. Inland the 
      New Oealand Division is trying to gain the high ground which 
      will help the Canadians further in their advance. Meanwhile, 
      on the west of the Anglo-American Fifth Army began the battle 
      for the Mignano Gap. There was a struggle to secure this mountain 
      feature and the enemy had plenty of time to prepare formidable 
      defenses. But thanks to the gallantry of the Allied infantry 
      all the more important of the hill features are now in our hands 
      and it seems that the Germans may be forced to withdraw further. 
      It would be unjust to make these references to the fighting in 
      Italy without paying tribute to the