ACROSS AARIGLIANO

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 97, 20 January 1944, Page 5

ACROSS AARIGLIANO

British Troops On Move Near Coast (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) LONDON, January 1 9.

British troops of the Eighth Army have crossed the lower Garigliano River at several points, states a communique from the Allied headquarters. The advance was made in the face of stiff German opposition. On other sectors of the Allied line closing in on Cassino, patrols have been active.

On the Eighth Army front Canadian troops are engaged in fierce fighting after launching a vigorous attack on Monday against the German positions south of the Arlelli River. Following their capture of the village of San Elia, French troops of the Fifth Army have made a further advance and captured Valvori, a hamlet two miles to the north. They have reached the banks of the Rapido River some four miles north of Cassino, and an Algiers correspondent Interprets this as a threat to the German communications with the town.

British destroyers have shelled enemy ports on the Adriatic Sea. He regards the capture as a serious setback for the Germans. . It is said to be the northern anchor of the Gustav Line. It now seems that the Germans have also lost the high ground north-east of St. Elia.

Further south, American patrols have reached the other side of the Rapido north of Cassino. After crossing the river they did not make contact with the enemy till they came up against very strong fortified positions 300 yards above the river. They crossed the Rapido River in a howling gale, and are now two miles froth Cassino. According to Algiers radio Cassino is under shellfire.

Elsewhere on the Fifth Army front, where the weather is fine in the coastai sectors and gales are raging in the mountainous area, our patrols are still very active.

Canadians’ Attack.

On the Eighth Army's front Canadian troops launched an attack on a front of 1000 yards a mile from San Tomaso. -Supported by tanks and a barrage of 100 guns, the Canadians met with fierce opposition, but managed to cross a small stream half a mile from the Ariclli River and gain a foothold on the other side, where fierce fighting is still in progress. Kittyhawks heavily strafed and divebombed the enemy lines. Gales are also raging in the mountains of the Eighth Army sector, and snow is falling heavily. Heavy and medium bombers resumed yesterday the combined offensive and concentrated their efforts on enemy supply lines between Rome and Florence. Fighters and fighter-bombers were active ahead of the Fifth Army, and scored hits on the docks at Anzio, 25 miles southwest of Rome, and on the railway yards at Palo between Rome and Civitavecchia. Fires were started at Targinia, northwest of Rome, and bridges and defended positions were attacked at several inland points. Fighter-bombers continued their attacks on enemy positions and shipping along the Dalmatian coast, scoring hits on a camouflaged merchantman in Sibenik harbour. Three small vessels were strafed near (Split.