Punch Hole In Anzio Ring Of Defences

Northern Advocate, 24 April 1944, Page 3

Punch Hole In Anzio Ring Of Defences

(Rec. 1 p.m.) LONDON, April 23. United States infantry, engineers, tanks and tank destroyers, in a coordinated assault, punched a hole in the German defensive ring around Anzio, states Reuter’s correspondent at Allied headquarters in Italy. The attack, which is officially described as limited, opened immediately after noon on Friday against vicious opposition. The attackers aimed at powerful positions on the right flank of the perimeter 4D miles south of Cisterna and west of the Mussolini Canal.

A military spokesman today said that tanks and infantry were continuing to clean up part of the captured area. The Germans fought ferociously before being flung out of strongpoints and at one stage prepared to launch a counter-blow on the opposite side of the perimeter. Allied reconnaissance observed a concentration and thereupon called on artillery which dispersed the Germans before a counterblow could be developed. Today’s Allied communique reports a quiet day generally on all fronts. Patrols were active on both sides. Allied troops have improved their positions in one sector of the Anzio beachhead.

Medium bombers yesterday attacked rail communications in Central Italy, hitting bridges at Poggibqjrsi, Busini and Orvieto, also Porto ,San Stefano.

Fighter-bombers attacked rail lines south of Florence and troop concentrations in the Fondi-Formia area. One Allied plane is missing. We flew more than 800 sorties. Forty enemy planes were active over the battle area.

The Anzio Landing It is revealed that only 243 ships, including landing craft, participated in landing operations at Anzio, compared with 2000 ships used for landing in Sicily, says Reuter's correspondent at Allied headquarters in Italy. Warships have carried out many bombardments in Anzio area since the landing. The British cruisers, Penelope and Spartan, and destroyers, La Forey and Janus, were among the ships lost in connection with the operation. The Spartan caught fire after bombing, after which a magazine exploded. The Janus, which was dive bombed, sank within 22 minutes. The La Forey, before sinking, fired 2000 rounds against beachhead positions.