MINTURNO SECTOR

Evening Star, Issue 25083, 26 January 1944, Page 5

MINTURNO SECTOR

BLOODIEST FIGHTING Of CAMPAIGN FIERCE COUNTER-ATTACKS REPULSED (Rec. 1.20 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 25. Advancing eight miles in 24 hours the Fifth. Army has extended the Allied beachhead to a depth of 12 miles inland. The Luftwaffe is putting up increased opposition over the' beaches and the surrounding country. Spitfires patrolling the Allied convoy roads from the beachhead shot down eight enemy planes. The Germans in the Monte Coce area are strongly disputing the French advance, but their counter-attacks have been thrown back. The Americans again crossed the Rapido River and reoocupied their former positions near San Angelo. The Americans, however, did not attempt to cross the river ;n force, nor have the Germans bo far seriously counterattacked. Americans and British on the lower Garigliano have slightly increased their bridgehead and made short advances north of Castel Forte. Some of the bloddiest fighting of the Italian campaign went on in the last 28 hours in the Minturno sector, from where British advances are reported. The Germans launched eight counter-attacks in quick succession. These were chiefly carried out by the 194th German Division, which includes the 90th Panzer Grenadiers. German guns were more active on the Eighth Army front to-day. The Germans are believed to be continuing the construction of defence works all along the front. Algiers headquarters disclosed that Thunderbolts have been operating in the Mediterranean in the last six weeks, escorting bombers over Italy and the Balkans.