STRONG PATROLS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 11, 14 January 1944, Page 5

STRONG PATROLS

CASSINO PRESSURE French Troops Extend Allies' Offensive Line N.Z. Press Association—Copyright Rec. 11 a.m. LONDON, Jan. 13. Strong American patrols are driving beyond Cervaro, which American troops of the Fifth Army captured yesterday, says Reuters correspondent, at Algiers. The patrols are moving across flat, open country nearing Pastinelle, which is a hamlet only three miles from Cassino. Bitter fighting is going on farther south, where the British and American troops are driving forward into the lower slopes of Monte Trocchio which is the last mountain barrier blocking the Cassino Pass. One British and two American thrusts are being made against the eastern and southern slopes of this height. They are prising the enemy out of rocky strongpoints at the point of the bayonet and blowing them from their holes with grenades. The Allies, attacking south-west of Roccheta, have progressed to a depth of 1000 yards, at some points reaching positions overlooking the road to Antino. The capture of this road would crack Cassino's northern anchor. French troops south-west of the road are now fighting fiercely, scaling a 4000-foot peak, which is one of the toughest features of this area. The heights reported in a communique as captured by the French are around the village of Acquafondata. The French movement is gaining momentum, queezing Acquafondata from two directions. On the Eighth Army front activities are limited to patrolling and artillery exchanges. Bad weather continues to delay progress in Italy, a land communique states. Yesterday bad flying weather, says an air communique, limited operations. Medium bombers, however attacked the railway junctions ana bridges at Arce and fighter-bombers attacked enemy positions near Orsoena Two enemy aircraft wei s destroyed and three of ours arc missing.