GERMAN FAILURE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 82, 6 April 1944, Page 5

GERMAN FAILURE

ATTACK NEAR CASSINO

ITALIANS HOLD ON

(By Telegraph—.Press 'Association—Copyright.) Rec. 12.30 p.m. LONDON, April 5. The Germans, supported by heavy shelling, tried to recapture Monte Marrone, north-east of Cassino, which was captured by Italians a few days ago. The Germans were repelled and suffered casualties.

Monte Marrone ■ was attacked after leaflets had been dropped from the air calling on the Italian defenders to give up the fight and drawing attention to the Allies' prolonged hold-up at Cassino, says Reuters correspondent at advanced headquarters in Italy. The German artillery is increasingly active in this sector, resulting in rapidfire gun duels across tire valleys. Fifth Army gunners blew up an ammunition"3ump from a distance of I£-miles. Artillery exchanges are also frequent in the Garigliano Valley. There is the usual patrolling and artillery duelling between Cassino and the coast.

German troop movements are at a standstill in Cassino, and also around the Ansyo beach-head perimeter. The German gunfire in the beach-head is not as heavy as it was.

Allied gunners exploded an ammunition dump three miles north-west of Cisterna.

Frequent patrol clashes have occurred in the Adriatic coastal sector, with, the Germans shelling the Ortona-Or-sogna road, and there have been brisk clashes around Tollo and Arielli.

Two German shells hit a hospital in the Anzio beach-head, causing one death.

Rec. 9 a.m. . LONDON, April 5. An Allied communique from Italystates that our artillery has been veryactive, inflicting casualties and destroying two ammunition dumps. Patrol clashes have occurred on all fronts. Medium bombers attacked a supply dump at Qrta, and fighters attacked bridges, gun positions, arid bivouacs in the battle area, and shipping off the Dalmatian coast. Forty-nine enemyplanes were destroyed and 12 of ours are missing. Allied planes flew 1400 sorties. The enemy in daylight flew nine sorties over the battle area. It is now confirmed that 116 enemy plane* were destroyed on April 2.