ANZIO BEACHHEAD

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXIV, Issue 121, 20 April 1944, Page 2

ANZIO BEACHHEAD

SIGNS OF NKW CLASH

(Roc. 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, April 19.

The Germans, who for weeks have been predicting an Allied offensive in the Anzio beachhead area, showed signs yesterday of preparing an offensive themselves, states Renter's correspondent at Allied Headquarters in Italy. Heavy German traffic was observed moving to Cisterna, which is just outside the Allied defences in the centre of the Anzio perimeter. Heavy traffic was also observed going into Rome from the north-east.

Allied artillery, continuing to spot German gun positions, has knocked out five more guns near Cisterna. Tt is disclosed that Fifth Army tank destroyer units since (he first landing at Anzio have knocked out 103 German tanks. 15 self-propelled guns, nine field-pieces, and 46 vehicles.

Commenting on (he observation of heavy traffic going into Rome, the British United Press recalls the Germat> News Agency's comment on the, Gormati reply to Mr dc Valera on the demilitarisation of Rome. (The ageney denied thai German military traffic had traversed Rome.) It is understood that (he British Government has no intention of responding to fresh invitations to regard Rome as an open city. The Press Association says the central and deciding fact is that the Germans control Rome and are using the railways and roads. Therefore, there is no reason why we should not bomb Rome.