STORMED AND TAKEN

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 13, 17 January 1944, Page 5

STORMED AND TAKEN

Formidable Barrier Near Cassino

Rec. noon. LONDON, January 16. American troops, according to an Algiers official report, have occupied Monte Trocchio, three miles from Cassino, and are at present consolidating their positions. Renter's Algiers correspondent says that the Americans attacked this formidable barrier from the west and the south-east early yesterday morning. They met with fierce resistance from the Germans, who opened np with artillery and mortars against the attackers as they advanced np the slopes. The Americans also found their progress impeded by pill-boxes, barbed wire, and camouflaged machine-gun nests, which threw out a hail of fire.

While this attack was going on French forces ten miles to the north advanced two miles from the village of St. Elia and the headwaters of the Rapido River.

There are few Germans, apart from those in prisoners' cages, now east of the Garigliano and Rapido Rivers. Allied forces are exploring the Rapido River and several tributaries east of Cassino. Patrolling has continued on the Eighth Army front, the only high light being a successful raid by New Zealanders against German positions. Maoris attacked the German positions lin the Orsogna area, recaptured t several British tanks, and brought them into action against the enemy. Heavy hand-to-hand fighting is going on between French and German forces on the Fifth Army front as the French advance towards the main enemy supply line north of Cassino, state dispatches from Algiers. At the bayonet point, the French repelled seven successive German counterattacks in 24 hours. The latest French advance has brought the fall of Cassino much nearer. Eighth Army patrols penetrated deeply in the Civitella area. Algiers radio reports that units of the Brazilian expeditionary corps are operating on the Fifth Army front.