But Face Difficult Problem

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 66, 22 March 1944, Page 5

But Face Difficult Problem

(By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) Received Wednesday, 12.40 a.m. LONDON, March 21. ‘ ‘ The struggle for cassino continues,” says the latest Allied communique from Italy. “The enemy, who has been reinforced in his strongpoints, is fighting stubbornly. He has the advantage of observation and has increased his shelling of Cassino, but the New Zealanders despite this have continued to reduce the enemy fortifica tions. We took many prisoners. “British troops on the Anzio beachhead made two successful raids against enemy positions inflicting heavy casualties. Our artillery fired the heaviest concentrations. Strong patrol clashes have been frequent and artillery exchanges occurred on the Eighth Army front. “Medium bombers yesterday attack ed rail and dock facilities in Central Italy, including rail bridges at Poggi bonski and Orvieto, dock installations at Piombino and Porto Ercole and Porto San Stefano, and railyards at Terni. Fighter-bombers and fighters attacked supply dumps and positions in Cassino and the beachhead areas. Six enemy planes were destroyed and three of ours are missing. We flew 1100 sorties while about 50 enemy planes were active over the battle area. ’ ’ Violent fighting flared up at Cassino to-day, according to enemy reports. The Rome radio says the Germans carried out powerful counterattacks and continue to resist more stubbornly than ever. The chief centres of fighting are northeast of the town on the slopes oi the citadel against which the Allies launched new attacks, and Mount Cairo where heavy fighting is also in progress. Reuter’s correspondent at advanced headquarters says the battle for the ruins of Cassino now in its sixth day is reaching new fury. Major-General Hellman, commander of the German paratroops who are putting up a suicide defence, succeeded in getting in reinforcements to holster the remaining strongpoints. These reinforcements are believed have reached him through tunnels honeycombing Monastery Hill. Heilman is no longer able to use Highway Six, north of Cassino, as a supply channel because tbe Allies have destroyed the bridges and pockmarked the surface bj shellfire. Heilman’s reinforcements enabled him to stiffen his resistance and recapture Hill 165 which is one of the strategic positions around Monasterj Hill. The Germans yesterday stormed Hill 165 after a vicious barrage and drove off Fifth Army units. The Allies are still holding Hangman’s and Castle Hills with other strategic hills. The Germans several times attacked Castle Hill unsuccessfully. The loss of Hih 165 does not materially affect the general situation. General Clark’s tanks and infantry in the face of bitter resistance and with considerable casualties on both sides are slowly carving a path into the western fringe of the town and advancing up the lower slopes of Monastery Hill. Heilman’s remaining strongpoints hereabouts include two clusters oi houses. He is also holding the ducai palace south of Highway Six and the Roman amphitheatre north of the highway from which the Germans are shelling the railway station. The German News Agency’s commentator Praegner says the Allies all day subjected the Germans in Cassino to successive artillery fire and infantry attacks. When the Allied infantry attacked the Germans still met them with withering fire. The Allies gained a few yards quite out of proportion to their losses. The British United Press correspondent at Cassino says Maori units are mopping up snipers holding out in the ruins. The Germans are shelling Cassino more heavily and snipers are harassing the New Zealanders. The Tiburtina area of Rome was again bombed yesterday morning, says the Rome radio. Enemy planes also attacked localities in Tuscany and the North Italian provinces.