U.S. FORCES

Grey River Argus, 24 December 1943, Page 4

U.S. FORCES

NEARER CASSINO TOUGHEST BATTLE On Eighth Army Front [Aust. N.Z. Press Assn.l (Rec 1.15) LONDON, Dec. 23. Reuter’s Algiers correspondent says:— Infiltration by American forces in the vicinity of Acquafondata carried their spearheads to within about seven miles of Cassino. The Fifth Army’s battlefield is inside a snow-tipped mountain triangle of wild country, with thousand feet peaks, and rocks so sharp they tear the soldiers’ boots and gaiters, and mountain paths spiralling up to windswept mountain tops. Cairo radio claimed that Fifth Army forces had taken San Vittoire village, a key German position at the head of Liri Valley, but this claim is not supported by Reuter’s correspondent, who says that American forces are closing in on the town, which is clearly visible from Allied positions. Vichy radio reports: A vicious duel between British and German field artillery and mortars is going on around San Vittoire. The Germans are concentrating all possible forces for the defence of this vital strongpoint, which is now the main target of General Clark’s attacks. FRENCH FORCES TAKE POSITION. LONDON, Dec 22. An Allied official report stated: Fighting on the Fifth Army front has slowed down in fog and rain. There was fierce fighting for heights guarding the approaches to Cassino. The Germans have to be forced back yard by yard.

Reuter’s Algiers correspondent stated: The right flank of the Eighth Army is attacking the mountain village of Acquafondata five miles west of Filignano, and the village of Cardito four miles further north. Allied troons are knocking down pillboxes the Germans erected to defend the town of San Vittore, north-west of Mignano. The Germans hereabouts are laying down heavy artillery fire.

Another correspondent stated: On Monday night an artillery concentration was put down in the San Vittore area, north of the recently-captured village of San Pietro, in the Mignano gap. It appears the Germans are withdrawing to a line behind the River Rapido. After intermittent showers on Monday the weather cleared and fierce fighting continued in the sectors held bv French and American troops. After three days and nights of battle for a mountain pass, French Moroccan troops finally captured the southern shoulder, and other gains were made in the Filigano sector. We are now attacking Acouafondata, a mountain village 2500 ft high, seven miles north-east of Cassino, and Cardito, three and a half miles further north. Heavy fighting is proceeding on the Casale Heights, in between where we captured another height among mountains which rise 4600 ft. ThU area is six or seven miles north-west of Venafro. Trains, motor vehicles and defended positions were the* targets of our fighter-bombers, as bad weather -rounded heavy strategic bombers. A Snitfire near the Army front line destroyed two locomotives and damaged 16 trucks. An Allied air communique . states: “Fighters ».nd fighter-bombers flew numerous sorties over the battle area near Rome on Tuesday. Enemy ground positions were attacked, his communications disrupted, and a number of motor vehicles and rolling stock destroyed. Tarracina was again bombed b-- our medium bombers. One enemv aircraft was destroyed for the loss of one of ours.” GERMAN PRECAUTIONS IN ROME. (Rec. 9.10.) LONDON, Dec. 22. With an increasing threat from Al--1 lied armies to Rome, the German commander there issued a proclamation, in which the public are reminded that any change of, domicile in Rome is prohibited. Changes are possible only in exceptional circumstances, with police permission. Secondly, proprietors of private houses, boarding houses and hotels must keep near the doorways a register of all lodgers Thirdly, anyone harbouring unregistered persons is liable to punishment according to German military law.

Tank Battle in Ortona ONE OF THE STIFFEST YET (Rec. 1.15) LONDON, Dec. 23. Reuter’s Algiers correspondent says the entire Eight Army line on the Adriatic coastal front, is pressing ahead. The battle for Ortona is one of the stiffest of the Italian war. An Allied official report stated the Eighth Army made a general advance of about a mile, getting con-/ trol of most of the central stretch of the lateral road from Ortona, on the Adriatic coast, inland to Orsogna. Canadians are now fighting inside Ortona, on the Adriatic coast. The Germans have left behind a strong, concentration of Mark 4 tanks. A correspondent says . Eighth Army tanks are waging furious battles in winding streets of the town. A Reuter correspondent reports: Ortona is being taken from the Germans house bv house, street by street. Canadians were stealthily creeping in across the enemy held positions and defences before they attacked with tanks and mortars on Mondav evening. They were well into Ortona at mid-day next day. Mopping up will be a slow process. German machine-gunners and snipers are likely to cause considerable trouble. The whole area is thickly sown with mines and booby traps. A correspondent stated: A tank battle between the German Mark IV tanks and our armour in the main thoroughfare of Ortona is probably one of the fiercest fought in the streets of an Italian town. The town is a railway centre on the main coastal line with a double track running inland. South-west of Ortona we made slight advances, repulsing two fierce enemv counter-attacks and capturing enemy equipment. Berlin radio stated the Germans in Ortona, after yielding some hundred yards of ground, took up new positions on the fringe of the city. They were previously subjected to a very heavv barrage lasting three hours and had to face-attacks supported by tanks. Another report said: The Eighth Army has to blast its way through