ANZIO CALM

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 60, 11 March 1944, Page 5

ANZIO CALM

PATROL ACTIVITY

Allied Planes Knock Out Nazi

Long-Range Guns British Official Wireless Rec. 12.30 p.m. RUGBY, Mar. 10. German patrols continue to probe the Allied positions around the Anzio beachhead perimeter. Behind them Kesselring's Fourteenth Army is reorganising into groups, possibly in readiness for an attempt to throw the Allies out, savs a war correspondent in North Africa.

It is officially announced that 15,000 Germans have been captured since the Allies landed in Italy.

At the point where the Germans threw in their third major offensive 10 days ago three miles ana a half south-east of Carrocetto, the Americans were attacked by a German fighting patrol at 5 a.m. on Thursday. The Germans were driven back, but returned at daylight under the protection of a Red Cross flag and collected their dead and wounded.

On Thursday Warhawk fighterbombers knocked out several big German long-range guns which had been shelling the Anzio beachhead from outside Rome. Warhawks also attacked three big railway yards. The pilots claim to have destroyed two guns which have been shelling shipping in Anzio Harbour. Heavy German artillery, hidden in a quarry near Campoleone, was aiso attacked

Gorman Commentator's Views The German News Agency's commentator, Praegner, said that movements were still in progress behind the British and American lines. German military observers now believe that these do not indicate a new offensive. They state that the enemy is merely filling up the gaps in his ranks. The Allies have reinforced some divisions at the beachhead and withdrawn others. They may be wanting their experienced invasion divisions for the coming attack against Western Europe.

The Anzio beachhead anti-aircraft defences estimate that they have so far destroyed for certain 115 aircraft, probably destroyed 58 more and damaged 100. A correspondent reports clear skies and warmer sun over the beachhead yesterday, but the enemy is still showing no sign of renewing his big attack. Enemy activity during the night was confined to prodding on the American sector in the Careno area. These probing attacks proved the usual failures. All Avere smashed with artillery fire and many dead were counted in the assembly points opposite the lines.

Rome Again Bombed Rome radio has announced that several waves of enemy planes this morning heavily raided Rome and dropped bombs indiscriminately. Large numbers of houses were hit, many of which were destroyed. It is feared that casualties were high. Invaders bombed the railway yards at Monte Rotondo and Capranica, north of Rome. Bostons hit a tank repair shop at Tivoli. Mitchells, escorted by Thunderbolts, scored hits on the docks at San Stefano. A total of seven enemy aircraft was destroyed.

After the unsuccesssful attack on the Allied convoy off the North African coast on Wednesday night two Messerschmitts 111 were shot down by R.A.F. Mosquitoes off the south of France when returning to their bases. The same night Mosquitoes bombed railway bridges in the Po Valley and strafed three trains. Attacks on enemy shipping have continued.