CANDID GERMAN

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

CANDID GERMAN

Poles’ Feat In Taking Monastery (British Official Wireless.) (Received May 28, 7 p.m.) RUGBY, May 27. “The German parachute detachments In Cassino had sufficient ammunition to last at least a fortnight and food for another 10 days. We never expected the monastery could be conquered at all, and I was very surprised on receiving orders to retreat,” said Captain Bayer, commander of a German detachment at Monte Cassino, who was captured by Polish troops. A correspondent on the Italian front, reporting this, says Bayer stated that on considering the order he realized the decision must have been taken because a hill to the north-east of the monastery had been conquered by the Polish troops and therefore Monte Gassiuo was isolated and cut off. In those circumstances the German detachments had no chance of defence? Bayer added: “The German retreat was only partly carried out. Only a comparatively small number of German soldiers succeeded in breaking through to the area of Highway 6. The majority of the defenders of the monastery were killed, and of the remainder many were wounded and taken prisoner.” „ On searching Bayer, Polish troops found in his possession an ivory stick belongin#»to the abbot of Cassino Monastery, a masterpiece adorned with beautiful’ carving.describing the life of Christ. Bayer used it as a walking stick when he went round inspecting, the German positions on Monastery Hill. . The stick has now been returned to its rightful owner.