TANK FEAT HELPS INDIANS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 210, 2 June 1944, Page 5

TANK FEAT HELPS INDIANS

N.Z. Shermans’ Drive (Official War Correspondents, N.Z.E.F.) LIRI VALLEY, May 30. Acoss the crest of a ridge 2000 feet above the Liri Valley the New Zealand tanks yesterday fought one of the fiercest and most successful battles they have yet had with the German rearguard It ended in the complete destructioh of one of the •strongest pockets left by the ’enemy. Entrenched on a peak above tbe village of Santa Padre, this pocket of German paratroops had fiercely resisted_several attacks by Indian infantry, lhey were in a position to hold out almost indefinitely against such attacks, as their defences included deep caves and a -U--millimetre cannon dug in near the crest. One type of attack they could not withstand, and one which they obviously did not think possible, was an armoured asOvercoming incredible obstacles, a group of New Zealand tanks climbed to within 200 yards of the crest and blasted the Germans from their stronghold. It was another unorthodox triumph for the men of the same regiment which winched its tanks through the mud into the battle across the Sangro River. Paratroops Surrender. The sheer country these tanks crossed, a terraced slope of ploughed paddocks and trees, has to be seen with tank tracks cut into it before it can be believed that 30-ton Shermans ever climbed it. A jeep with the lowest gears engaged struggles, and half the time sideslips, to reach the top. As soon as the Indian infantry they were supporting began their climb out of the Liri Valley, the New Zealand tanks set out to stay with them. Early in their climb they could follow rough, narrow cart tracks, but to get anywhere near the German strongpoint the tanks had to crush down stone walls and make their own path across cultivated fields. By late afternoon the Indians had met stiff opposition. Thick machinegun fire down the slopes made it impossible for them to get near the enemy trenches, and they called on the New Zealand tanks for support. Before dusk, the tanks were standing off the hill-top, firing high explosive shells that shattered trees about the German defences and sent shrapnel showering down into their trenches. Within i a few minutes the paratroop officer commanding the outpost, his ser-geant-major, and five of his men, were lying dead, and the remainder had surrendered to the Indians. Direct hits on both the main German gunpits had blown the guns to pieces. Maintaining contact with the enemy on the extreme right flank of the Liri Valley, elements of the New Zealand Division captured Alvito and Viealvi and reached a point about two miles from Sora. Alvito is about five miles north of Atina and seven miles south-east of Sora. The New Zealanders’ advance, which has been contested all the way, has taken them along the important road running due north from Cassino. After clearing the slopes of Monte Cairo our troops took Terelli, and Belmonte and Atina (where the road turns sharply north-west), and have now advanced through fairly difficult country for a total road distance of about 20 miles. Swift, Cheap Advance.

Sora itself lies astride No. 82_ highway, which, like No. 6 and No. 7, is a first-class macadam road. This highway runs north-north-west from Sora toward Avezzano, which is a very important road junction about 40 miles due east of Rome, on the eastern flank of the massive Simbruini mountain range.

In the New Zealanders’ advance to their positions in the hills overlooking Sora opposition has not. been heavy, though, as usual, the enemy has delayed the advance as much as possible with demolitions and shellfire. The engineers have followed closely behind the infantry. and their immediate task will be to bridge any heavy demolition on the approach to Sora. The latest advance has been swift, effective, and with small loss, giving the enemy little time to consolidate on anV gun-line, if it was intended to stop. The enemy has lost heavily in transport by the combined effects of bombing and artillery fire, and for his

infantry it seems there will be a long :rek back on foot.

The New Zealanders have had a great reception from the Italian villagers, who have thrown flowers at the advance elements and are returning in a constant stream to what is left of their homes, waving as they go cheery greetings to the advancing troops. The number of enemy prisoners is increasing every hour.