FORGING AHEAD

Evening Star, Issue 25068, 8 January 1944, Page 5

FORGING AHEAD

FIFTH ARMY IN ITALY AMERICANS CAPTURE USEFUL HEIGHT (Rec. 10.35 a.m.') RUGBY. Jan. 7. The Fifth Army continues to forge ahead in the San Vittore area, where the Germans are once again putting up stiff resistance in the region where they have built up a strong defensive position to protect the key town of Cassino. Cold weather prevails, and the troops are fighting over snow-covered ground. The Americans captured another useful high feature, Monte Majo, southwest of Citicuso and five miles northwest of Venafro. This capture enabled the Americans to cut the road running from Citicuso to Cervaro and San Vittore. thus denying the enemy a muchused supply road. The Germans still hold three strong points in the town of San Vittore itself, and fighting for complete Allied possession is still in progress. The Germans are'maintaining heavy shell fire on the attacking troops. On the southern part of the line British troops yesterday captured another 79 prisoners. The weather is just as cold on the Eighth Army front, with heavy snow falling in the mountains, where we areaiming to secure additional high ground. Our troops are patrolling aggressively. The Indians made a short advance west .of San Tommaso. In rugged, difficult country they encountered active German Pa Th°o Germans have brought into their lines in the coastal sector parachutists, who are being used as infantry. A communique says Ibad weather again limited air operations. Jig literbombers attacked German positions in the Cervaro area and the railway at Fondi. Two enemy aircraft were destroyed. All our planes returned.