Nazis Abandon Ports To Avoid Destruction

Northern Advocate, 23 May 1944, Page 5

Nazis Abandon Ports To Avoid Destruction

LONDON, May 22. Hard fighting to evict the enemy from the Adolf Hitler Line continues, reports today’s Allied communique from Italy. Eighth Army troops are encountering determined resistance from the enemy's main defensive system all along their front. Polish troops are fighting in Piedemonte, strongpoint in the northern sector of the line. French and American troops of the Fifth Army have pressed forwarl and have beaten off enemy counter-attacks in the Pico area. The Americans in the coastal sector occupied Monte San Biagio just north of the Appian Way, four miles west of Fondi.

Medium-bombers yesterday attacked bridges in the battle area. Fighter bombers made many sorties in support of the ground forces, attacking bridges, guns, motor transport and troop concentrations. Fighters maintained battle-line patrols. Bombers last night attacked ports on the west coast of Italy. Of 24 enemy planes reported in daylight over the battle area, eight were destroyed. Five of ours are missing'. The Allies flew approximately 1450 sorties. Abandoning Positions The Germans are abandoning positions within the Hitler Line fortifications to escape annihilation, says Al-’ giers radio, quoting an official source. Pontecorvo has been completely encircled. Enemy resistance is fading in the face of the Fifth Army’s unrelenting blows against the southern flank of the Liri Valley defences.

A correspondent of the British United Press at Allied headquarters reports that the whole of the Aurunci Mountains have been cleared of the enemy. Well over 6000 prisoners have been counted since the offensive opened. The French captured Monte Leucio, three miles west of Pontecorvo, putting the Allies three miles inside the Hitler Line, which is also threatened by the capture of high ground north-west of Pico, and the entry of Allied troops into the outskirts of Pontecorvo. The Allies have also captured a feature three miles north-west of Fondi, and Monte Marone, one mile west of Pontecorvo. and have cut the PontecorvoFico Road, thus flanking the enemy defences in the Liri Valley.