Toughest Campaign

In the Apennine Mountains of Italy white-clad Allied patrols probed and pushed at the Nazi lines last week. On skis and snowshoes they fought short, murderous engagements with German patrols, pressed in closer to fight with their fists, fingernails, teeth. Enemy snipers fired at the litter squads carrying in the wounded.

The Americans pushed a cautious advance toward Bologna, pulled back under heavy German artillery fire. The British stormed a railroad bridge north of Faenza four times, were driven back each time. The Canadians, who had cleared the enemy from 50 square miles between the Reno River and the Valli di Commacchio lagoon, met stiffer resistance and came to a halt.

In the European strategical picture this was important fighting. It had tied down probably 27 Wehrmacht divisions which might otherwise have strengthened Rundstedt's attack in Belgium. Now it had even forced the Germans to bring in another division from Norway. But to the average soldier it remained the toughest, least rewarding campaign. Allied troops on the western front, Russian troops on the eastern front, could see the possibility of winning a decision. In Italy the troops knew only that, unless the victory was won elsewhere first, after the Apennines would come the Alps.

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