CLOSER TO CASSINO

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXIV, Issue 38, 13 January 1944, Page 5

CLOSER TO CASSINO

FIFTH ARMY'S PROGRESS

LAST HIGH POINT TAKEN (N.Z. Press Association.—Copyright.) (Rec. 10.30 a.m.) RUGBY, Jan. 12. An Algiers radio commentator stated tJiis morning tliaD the Allied forces were now just under five miles away from Cassino.

Having cleared the remnants of the Nazi delencicrs from the Monte Porchio area, the American troops of tho Fifth Army are now within a mile of Troccliio, winch stands between the main Cassino-Rome road and the railway. It is the last of the high ground lying between the advancing troops of the Fifth Army and Cassino, the nerve centre of the whole German defence network south of the Apennines. Further west British • troops have now consolidated their positions, following the forcing a lew days ago of the Peccia River. Patrols are again active in the coastal sector. German patrols which had crossed the Lower Garigliano River were thrown out yesterday from some high ground near the river hank. An official communique states: The advance of the British and American troops on the Fifth Army front continues. Some further high ground has been seized, enemy pockets of resistance cleaned up, and our front line straightened out. Patrols are active along the front of both armies. Medium bombers attacked the railway junction of Fazriano, in the province of Ancona. and a goodsyard at Falconara, three miles north of Ancona. Over the Dalmatian coast fighters hit several enemy vessels. Light bombers again bombed Palena. Fighter-bombers ranged over enemy lines of communication, attacking transport and positions at Sora, Cervaro, and Santelia. A small force of bombers on Monday night attacked iron and steel works at Piombino, cn.using large explosions. Eleven enemy aircraft were destroyed. Seven of ours are missing. British destroyers' operating off the Adriatic coast of Italy on Sunday night damaged railway trains by gunfire and effectively bombarded San Benidetto, 37 miles north-west of Pcscara. They also hit a schooner and drove it ashore.—Official Wireless. The Germans arc rushing up coastal guns from the Gulf of Gaeta to help defend Cassino which is now gravely threatened, savs Reuter's correspondent with the Fifth Army, quoted in a London cable. The Germans are also using small arms ammunition captured in Russia and drawing specialist troops from the west in an attempt to delay the town's fall. According to reports from refugees passing through the Allied lines Cassino is "being put in a state of siege. The Germans to use the words of an American officer, are fighting like, madmen.