ALLIED RAIDING PARTY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 18 April 1944, Page 5

ALLIED RAIDING PARTY

ANZIO BEACIi-HEAD OPERATION London, April 17. “They set off soon after four,” says a correspondent describing the Anzio beach-head raid, "by the light of a waning moon, sappers going ahead to clear mines from the path of tanks. The sappers, as they i 'pt up the road, passed a house where there were sounds cf a party. They continued with the mine removal task, but forces following stopped at the house. They found the occupants were hiccuping gaily and quite unaware that anything was amiss until their captors arrived. “Further along the road a German company commander and a sergeant major hid in a vegetable patch where they were found under a hedge. "The operation lasted only six hours and one tank which went up on a mine was the only loss sustained. Members of raiding parties back at headquarters said they only found one among the whole bag who was not glad to be a prisoner.” CASSINO SECTOR Not a single house in Cassino has changed hands for about three weeks, says the British Un : ted Press correspondent with the Fifth Army. It is suicide for a soldier on either side to stick his head out of a dugout in daylight. Both sides have placed mines and barbed wire along the frontline which meanders through the town making effective patrolling practically impossible. but after sunset soldiers who arc imprisoned in their quarters throughout the day come up for fresh air and exercise. and porters carrying food, water and ammunition creep into the town. The Germans cannot see, but they hear what is going on and fill the night with shells, bombs and machine gun fire. Special Allied squads at present are sprinkling quicklime on piles of rubble under which scores of Germans who were killed during last month’s terrific Allied bombardment are buried. Rome radio says American patrols yesterday attacked south-west of Carrocctto but had to withdraw under violent German artillery fire. GERMAN LOSSES Some figures of German losses since the beach-head landing show that up to Friday last the Germans had employed 2472 planes to carry o ut 277 raids on the beach-head. The Allies destroyed lib and probably 117 more were ac - ' counted for by flak. It is estimated that 200 enemy tanks or self-propelled guns were destroyed by the Allied force in the twelve-week period. 'Nearly 4000 prisoners have been taken. DEMILITARISATION of ROME London, April 16. Ihe demilitarisation of Rome would be considered during new discussions progressing regarding the status of the city, said Mr Cordell Hull, United States Secretary of State, replying to a suggestion of Senator Bridges that President Roosevelt take the initiative in saving Rome from the ravages of war. Mr Hull added that the preservation of Rome had been kept constantly in mind since the United States became involved in the world conflict. MUSSOLINI REPORTED DYING London, April 17. .Mussolini is reported to be dying in his, villa at Lake Garda reports Reuters Zurich correspondent.. Returning ! h ® conference of Satellites at Hitlers headquarters he consulted a specia ist in Vienna who declared an immediate operation was necessary. Mussolini refused and vent to bed where, it is stated, he is awaiting the end. b The Berne correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says the Fascist Press in Italy for the first time has reported Mussolini as bcino SPri . ously ill.