BY AIR AND LAND

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 64, Issue 147, 1 April 1944, Page 3

BY AIR AND LAND

THE CONFLICT IN ITALY. BOMBiNG OF SEVERAL TARGETS. ATTACKS ON CASSINO REPULSED (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright.; (Rec. 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, Mar. 31. An air communique issued in Italy says that large formations of heavy bombers of the Strategic Air Force, with escort, attacked railway communications and targets in Sofia. Other heavy bombers hit the aerodrome at Imotslci. Fighter-bombers attacked supply bases, motor transport and railway targets near the Anzio area. Other fighters and fighter - bombers struck at shipping targets off the coast of Italy. Bombers of the Tactical Air force bombed shipping and dock installations at Leghorn harbour. Three planes were destroyed on the ground. Twelve of our planes are missing.

In the Mediterranean area approximately 1500 sorties were flown. About 37 enemy aircraft were reported in the battle area.

Imotski is in the southern part of the province of Bosnia, in Yugoslavia, IS miles from the Adriatic coast.

Two small attacks on the Cassino front were repulsed by us on Wednesday night, writes a correspondent at Allied Headquarters. They were carried out by patrols of about 30 men, and were more in the nature of attempts at infiltration than thrusts against Allied positions. Both attacks were thrown back. In the town of Cassino, enemy snipers are active. Tanks are still reported to be in the area of the Continental Hotel. —British Official Wireles(s.