N.Z.E.F. ATTACK

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 206, 29 May 1944, Page 5

N.Z.E.F. ATTACK

Infantry And Tanks Occupy Town

MOUNTAIN AREA

N.Z.E.F. Official News Service. D.H., ITALY, May 26. New Zealand troops with their own armoured support this morning occupied the important hill town of Terelle, on the northern slopes of Monte Cairo. Terelle was important ns a reinforcement centre for Cassino, and since the fall of that town as a site for guns protecting the enemy’s left flank. Beyond Terelle are Atina and Belmonte, in both of which the enemy has guns directed against, our troops. Preceding the capture of the town a formation ot New Zealanders occupied heights covering the approach to the lower slopes of Monte Cairo.

The New Zealanders are moving in difficult mountain country, in which supplies are brought up by jeeps and mules. New Zealanders are clearing the Vanmil

Monte Cairo is a few miles north-west of Cassino. It rises to 5000 feet and dominates a large part of Highway C, the road to Rome. Weekend messages have reported the fall of Monte Cairo and also Roecasecea, farther west. The New Zealanders are therefore on the right flank of the present battle zone, which is the sector of the Polish Division’s recent advance.] Below the heights the New Zealanders are clearing, the Canadians late last week advanced to the Melfa River, well to the west, and have now _ crossed the- river. The New Zealand infantry operation is the first reported since their failure to clear the Germans completely from Cttssino, though New Zealand tanks participated in the final Cassino victory.