STATE OF SIEGE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 13 January 1944, Page 5

STATE OF SIEGE

ALLIES APPROACH CASSINO NOW UNDER FIVE MILES 1 AWAY ENEMY USE RESERVES Rugby, Jan. 12 An Algiers radio commentator stated this morning that Allied forces are now just under five miles away from Cassino. Having cleared remnants of Nazi defenders from the Monte Porchio area, American troops of the Fifth Army are now within a mile of Trocchio, which stands between the main Cassino-Rome road, and the railway. It is the last of the high ground lying between the'advancing troops of the Fifth Army and Cassino, the nerve-centre of the whole German defence network south of the Apennines. The Germans are rushing up coastal guns from the Gulf of Gaeta to help defend Cassino, which is now gravely threatened, says Reuter’s correspondent with the Fifth Army. The Germans are also using smallarms and ammunition captured in Russia and are drawing in specialist troops to attempt to delay the fall of the town. " According to reports from re- “ fugees passing through the s Allied lines, Cassino is being r put in a state of siege. The town is only four miles from the American spearhead north of the Rome road and under five miles from the Brii tish spearhead which is mopping up in the valley after the crossing of the Peccia River. The Germans, to use the words of an American officer, are fighting like madmen. ? IN POSITION TO STRIKE The capture of two important positions in the last 24 hours has placed the Fifth Army in a position to strike against Cassino’s' innermost mountain defences, states Reuter’s Algiers correspondent. One of these heights, Monte Piperni, which was captured by the Americans, is less than a mile northeast of Cervaro, which is now in Allied hands, and adds another link in the chain of encirclement of the Germans. British forces to the south have advanced two miles from their bridgehead, and Britain and American troops are preparing to attack the Germans entrenched on Monte Rocchio, the last bulwark guarding Cassino. The British now hold all the features bordering the Peccia River. As the Germans before Cassino are putting up light resistance only, it is thought Marshal von Kesselring realises his positions in the area are untenable. The road beyond Cassino along which the Germans must fall back runs through the best tank battlefield yet encountered in west Italy. Because of heavy snow on the mountains and deep slush in the valleys, activity on the Eighth Army front Is limited to patrolling and artillery exchanges. The Germans at present are heavily shelling Eighth Army positions on the upper Arielli River. ADVANCE CONTINUES British troops have now consolidated L their positions following the forcing, a a few days ago, of the Peccia river. ' Patrols are again active in the coastal ' sector. German patrols which had crossed the lower Garigliano river were [ thrown out yesterday from some high ground near the river bank. * The official communique states: “The ' advance of British and American troops » on the Fifth Army front continues. Some further, high ground was seized, ■ enemy pockets of resistance cleaned up and our front line straightened out. 3 Patrols of both armies are active along ? the front. ; BOMBERS ACTIVE , A considerable force of heavy bomb--1 ers yesterday attacked Piraeus harbour. ' Large explosions and several fires were observed. This objective was again ; bombed last night. Medium bombers » attacked the railway junction at Fazriano in the province of Ancona, and a > goods yard at Falconara, thre miles r north of Ancona. Over the Dalmatian i coast fighters hit several enemy vessels. : Light bombers again bombed Palena. t Fighter-bombers ranged over enemy > lines of communication, attacking transport and positions at Sora, Cerraro, and Santelia. A small force of bombers on Monday night attacked iron and steel works at Piombino, causing large explosions. Eleven enemy aircraft were ■ destroyed. Seven of ours are missing. ADRIATIC COAST SHELLED ? “British destroyers operating off the t Adriatic coast of Italy on Sunday night . damaged railway trains by gunfire and i effectively bombarded San Benedetto. . They also hit a schooner and drove it ashore.’ ’