INTENSE FIGHTING ON ITALIAN FRONTS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 304, 23 December 1943, Page 5

INTENSE FIGHTING ON ITALIAN FRONTS

BIG TANK CLASH More Hills Captured By Allied Armies British Official Wireless Rec. 12.30 p.m. RUGBY, Dec. 22. The tank battle raging between the German Mark IV. tanks and our armour in the main thoroughfare of Ortona is probably one of the fiercest tank battles fought in the streets of an Italian town, says a correspondent at Allied Headquarters. The town is a railway centre on the main coastal line with a double track running inland and was reported earlier to have been captured by the Canadians. South-west of Ortona the Allies made slight advances, repulsing two fierce enemy counter-attacks and capturing enemy equipment. On the Fifth Army front, after intermittent showers on Monday, tne weather cleared and fierce fighting continued in the sectors held oy French and American troops. Alter three days and nights' battle for a mountain pass French Moroccan troops finally captured the southern shoulder and other gains were made in the Filigano sector. The Allies are now attacking Acquafondata, a mountain village 2500 ft high seven miles north-east of Cassino,and Caidito, three miles and a half furtnei north. Heavy fighting is proceeding on the Caiale heights and in between where the Allies captured, another height among the mountains whicn rise 4600 ft. This area is six or seven miles north-west of Venatro. Allied troops around San .Vittore are engaged in demolishing numerous pillboxes from which the wimans are putting up stern resistance. Trains, motor vehicles and defended positions were the targets of Allie ,a. fighter-bombers yesterday, as wo weather grounded the heavy strate gic bombers. A Spitfire near the Eighth Army front line destr,Dyed two locomotives and damaged ±o trucks. Rain Restricts Activity The Italian land communique states: "The battle on the Eightft Army front continues with tun in tensity. Our troops have made fu - ther progress. Fighting is still in progress in the streets of Ortona. On the Fifth Army front our tioops advanced despite determined °PP°» tion. Several hills were and more prisoners taken. The Navy communique states: "Naval activity continues in . ine Adriatic. On Sunday British motor torpedo-boats captured two German schooners off the Yugoslav coast and made prisoners of the crews. The Air communique states: "Fighters and fighter-bombers flew numerous sorties over the bauuarea near Rome and off the; coast of Yugoslavia on Tuesday. &*}em ground positions were attacked, Ms communications were and a number of motor vehicles ana rolling stock destroyed. Ten acm (on the coast south of Rome) was again bombed by our medmmtoijD ers. One enemy aircraft was", stroyed for the loss of one of ourfa.