CBS World News - November 18th, 1948
November 18th, 1948
CBS World News
"The world today. The Columbia Broadcasting System now presents a summary of the all the important world news today. Reports from CBS correspondents by trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific short wave radio, and the latest developments as received by the Columbia's news room here in New York. Tonight we will be reporting on the latest events in Europe and South America via London."
"This is the news as reported from London. August's major offensives cost the lives of hundreds of thousands of Axis and Allied soldiers. The following month proved to be the calm before the storm. Both sides took time to recuperate losses and reorganize for new offensives. On both sides of the front, soldiers dug in preparing for the onslaught. The Germans would be the first to attack, and their objective was to retake Kassel. The offensive was launched in late September, and by October was back in German hands."
"The Allied offensive fell upon the German forces stationed in Munster. 80 well equipped British and American divisions caught the defenders off guard, and within a week had secured all their objectives. Initially, the attacked called for a drive on Hannover, but the collapse at Kassel called for a change in plan. As the Germans moved into Kassel, they were met with the combined force of 120 Allied divisions. The enemy scattered quickly, which resulted in the yielding of several thousand prisoners in the confusion. However, the season's first snowfall appeared today, blanketing the area in a fine white coating. This means that such grand operations are not going to be sustainable by both Axis and Allied forces, as temperatures drop well below zero and cause problems with equipment. These are the last expected major operations of the year for both the Axis and Allied forces in Europe."
"British attempts to break the stalemate in northern Italy have failed. Two successive attacks on the Genoa fortifications met with some success, but an unexpected change in weather bogged down the entire attack. Two straight weeks of heavy rain turned the battlefield into a quagmire of mud and debris, and the British forces were forced to withdraw with moderate casualties."
"In South America, the situation continues to deteriorate. British soldiers have pulled back to the major ports as Bolivian and Argentinian troops relentlessly attack the Brazilian defenses. The Argentinians continue to move towards Rio di Janeiro. Major Brazilian defenses collapsed after the British withdrawal north, and signals a collapse in the South American theater of war. The British withdrawal will surely appear as abandonment by the Brazilians, and will likely have an adverse effect on relations with nations considering joining the Allied cause..."