HILL COMBATS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24775, 24 December 1943, Page 7

HILL COMBATS

FIFTH ARMY ADVANCE

PILLBOXES AND BARBED WIRE (Reed. (MO p.m.) LONDON, Dec. There is fierce fighting between the Fifth Army and the Germans among pillboxes and barbed wire round San Vittore, which guards the entrance to the Liri Valley. North-east of Cassino American troops have made a two-mile advance in difficult mountainous country. French forces have stormed and captured an important hill. After a'battle lasting throe days and nights for a mountain pass, French .Moroccan troops finally captured the southern shoulder, and other gains were made in the Filigano sector. The Allies are now attacking Acquafondata, a mountain village 2500 ft. high seven miles north-east of Cassino, and Cardito, three miles and a-lialf further north.

Heavy fighting is proceeding on the Casale heights and in between, where tho Allies captured another height among mountains which rise 4600 ft. This area is six or seven miles northwest of Venafro.

Trains, motor-vehicles and defended positions were the targets of Allied fighter-bombers on Tuesday, as bad weather grounded the heavy strategic bombers. A Spitfire near the Eighth Army front line destroyed two locomotives and damaged ft> trucks.

Booty captured by the British in the assault on Mount Camino is n'bw being counted, and, 'although much still remains uncounted, the materials include eight 75-millimetre guns, 75 machineguns and mortars, a five-ton half-track vehicle loaded with mines, large stores and equipment. , General Eisenhower was with the Fifth Armv yesterday. He visited General Clark's headquarters.

MUST "INCH" FORWARD

STIFF ENEMY RESISTANCE LONDON, Dec. 22 The small advances which the Fifth and Eighth Armies made last week-end have led to reports being given prominence here that the roaa to Rome has been opened, but the Allies' process of "inching into German-held territory will have to be continued for some time.

Even when the Allies reach the RomePescara road they will hav r e to drive the Germans some distance beyond it before they are able to use it, and the Fifth Army, even when it has opened the difficult gateway to the Liri Valley, will not have an easy passage. The Eighth Army still has to consolidate its positions across the lesser parallel road from Ortona to Guardiagrele, and the Fifth Army has by no means completed the difficult operation of clearing the heights covering the entrance to the Liri \ alley. German resistance continues to be very stiff. For example, San Pietro was three parts surrounded before the enemy abandoned it. Before the evacuation the Germans were observed fortifying another position only, a mile farther on. The Fifth Army has had to fight for everv yard of ground, and the Eighth Arrhv has had to repel frequent counterattacks, but it still seems that the speedier developments may be expected on the Eighth Army's front.

CLASHEvS IN MILAN FASCIST FUNERAL FIRED ON LONDON, Dec. 22 Twenty people are reported to have been killed and 50 injured as the result of clashes in Milan during the funeral of three murdered Fascist leaders, says Renter's correspondent in Zurich. AntiFascists fired on the cortege, which was held up for half an hour. Fascists and Nazis returned the fire, and panic broke out as the people rushed from the street. Additional incidents occurred in workers' quarters.

FRENCH PATRIOTS BUSY ASSASSINATION OF GERMANS LONDON, Dec. 22 Nearly 1000 Germans and pro-Nazi officials "in France have been assassinated in the past four months, says the-Lis-bon correspondent of the Evening Standard. The list in_cludes 2-' SO gendarmes, 147 guards, 352 police agents, ;?0 Vichy militiamen and 150 civilians. Many were either shot or knifed. Others were garrotted. French newspapers have published a full list of the victims. The French newspapers report that 900 bombs have damaged ships, factories and other installations. More than 150 town halls have been attacked and robbed, 180 farm houses destroyed and 15714 haystacks set on fire. There have been 600 derailments or attempts to wreck railways. The reported imminence of a second front has increased the daring of saboteurs, and lawlessness is sweeping all districts in France, in spite of all efforts by the Germans and Vichy militia to clieck it.

BOYS OF 16 FOR ARMY NEW ORDER IN GERMANY (Reed. 8.15 p.m.) LONDON, Dor.. 2:« The German teaders are preparing for J9.M battles and are bringing into the armed forces still younger boys and older men, says the Times. The High Command has' ordered Iwys aged 10 to register for active service. Men aged 50 to 54 ha-ve been ordered to report changes of address, a precaution suggesting that their summon! may not be far away.

MR. CHURCHILL'S PROGRESS I Herd. 7.30 p.m.) LONDON. Dec. 22 Mr. Churchill is out of danger and making good progress toward complete recovery, says the political correspondent of'the Daily Telegraph. For the first time for a week no bulletin was issued to-day, but one is expected tomorrow. Mr. Churchill is now handling State affairs and receiving documents from London and from the war fronts, lie is also sending daily a batch of documents to fellow-members of the War Cabinet*