14/10/1943. 6.= pm. Fred. Allen.
The 5th Army has forced the passage of the
Volturno and established several bridgeheads
on the Northern banks. They are now
bringing up armour. Tuesday night
operations were started in favourable
weather and the enemy has been fighting
fiercely. It is expected that these operations
will develop into the biggest fighting in
Italy so far. First the Germans crossed
the South bank at Capua and afterwards
we crossed east and west of Capua.
Some of our troops had to swim.
Repeated German counterattacks
were repulsed and our sappers
built bridges across the river over
which tanks are passing. There are
reports that for the first time for
many days German fighters have
made their appearance over the
battlefront. Ours Spits encountered 16
of them. Our planes have attacked an
enemy base on the West Coast of
Italy and Tirana the capital of
Albania has been raided for the first
time by our Mitchells. Maritsa
on the isle of Rhode was also attacked.
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