Both Sides Probing On Italian Fronts

Northern Advocate, 14 March 1944, Page 3

Both Sides Probing On Italian Fronts

(Rec. 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, March 13. Allied artillery on Anzio beachhead yesterday heavily and effectively shelled targets previously located says Reuter’s correspondent at advanced headquarters, Italy. The Germans returned the fire.

Germans carried out a lively raid against French troops in the mountains north of Cassino and east of Terelle the French held on tenaciously and broke up an attack. Patrols were more active on the Eighth Army front than elsewhere. Berlin radio’s commentator (Praegner) says that the Allies are consolidating their fortifications in the Cassino area..

The weather in Italy improved today but is not likely to clear up completely and the ground is too muddy for major opeAtions.

Praegner claims that the Germans in the beachhead and Cassino areas repulsed several attacks by British and American shock troops. Indians on Their Toes

Indian troops of the Eighth Army front were kept on their toes throughout Saturday night when the Germans threw in heavy patrols around Orsogna, slates a correspondent at Allied headquarters. It is suggested that the attacks were in platoon strength supported by small tanks at various points. Indian artillery and effective small arms fire at close quarters smashed every German effort to get through the Indian lines. All major operations along the Eighth Army front are still held up by rain and snow.

On the Fifth Army main front, German raids on Colleabate, one and a half miles east of Terelle, were thrown back by French artillery. There is little ground action on the Anzio beachhead. Patrols were kept busy probing the enemy lines, while harassing artillery fire continues on both sides. Allied gunners have done considerable damage to several enemy targets. Again on Saturday night the Germans raided Allied forward positions, dropping anti-personnel bombs. Poor visibility over the target areas cancelled all major Mediterranean aircraft operations. The desert air force bombed road transport in the bridgehead area, causing explosions among fires already burning in Campo Leone. Genzano, Cisterna and Velletri were bombed, while naval forces operated against Adriatic shipping. Beaufighters destroyed two enemy supply ships of 3500 and 3000 tons.