GERMAN ATTACKS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25454, 8 February 1944, Page 3

GERMAN ATTACKS

.-ANZIO BEACH-HEAD ALLIES HOLD POSITIONS LONDON. Feb. 6. The Press Association’s military correspondent, quoting informed London quarters, says that, although the Germans have been attacking with fairly big forces south of Rome, the Allied beach-head as a whole is not regarded as being in any danger. The Allied troops in the Anzio beachhead have regrouped after Friday’s heavy counter-attacks, reports a correspondent, who adds that the enemy took advantage of cloudy weather and the curtailment of our air covers to move in troops for an attack against British advanced units in the salient north of Carrocetta. Allied anti-tank gunners caught enemy tanks as they made off in the light of the dawn and smashed at least five. In the darkness one group of enemy guards with prisoners mistook the way and guided them back into our lines. The guards and prisoners then changed places. On Saturday our troops were firmly installed in their new positions. Air activity and artillery duels have now been renewed on the Pontine flank. The Germans seized a bridge and destroyed it, but were cut off and killed or captured. Positions Consolidated The British troops in the northern sector of the beach-head are engaged in heavy fighting, according to an Algiers message. All along the front the Allies are consolidating their positions, while the enemy is working hastily to build up his defensive positions around Cisterna. One hundred and eighteen prisoners were captured yesterday, including some of Himmler’s own Reich Fuhrer’s S.S. Brigade. It is reported that this is the first time S.S. troops have been engaged in this part of Italy. An Allied correspondent at Anzio says: “In spite of the report that the Germans launched the expected coun-ter-attack in strength against the beach - head positions, the fact is that nothing has thus far developed beyond local action. It was

brisk while it lasted, but beyond resulting in a fair number of German casualties, it had no bearing upon the general situation, which is still static, and may remain so for some time. “During the action one British unit found itself in a difficult position with German tanks dominating the road behind it. The situation was quickly restored that night when British reinforcements came round on the flanks of the enemy column and drove it off. “There was also considerable patrol activity on both sides, which resulted in unusually large numbers of prisoners for such minor actions. How many men we lost as prisoners has not been divulged, but this patrolling activity resulted in some odd incidents. One British patrol, well inside the enemy lines at dusk, saw 100 Allied prisoners being shepherded into a train by about 50 enemy guards. They killed the guards and released the prisoners.” Air and Sea Activity

An air communique states: “Bad weather grounded heavy bombers on Saturday and curtailed other operations. The railway junction of Terni was attacked by medium bombers, while light bombers attacked Piedimonte. Fighter-bombers and fighters attacked enemy communications and destroyed a number of motor vehicles. Four enemy aircraft were destroyed. None of ours is reported missing.” A navy communique states that Thursday night was profitable for our light coastal forces in the Adriatic. They sank one small and two medium schooners in the Zara Channel, and another between. Sibenick and Split, taking prisoners in each case. During the following night our destroyers bombed Starigrad on the island of Hvar, and Dubrowacka on the islarid of Korkcusa. Ships in operation included the destroyers Tumult and Teazer.

The British United Press correspondent from the Fifth Army beach-head says that a platoon of American tank destroyers wnich helped British troops to repulse a German counter-attack north of Carrocetta on Friday was surrounded by German Mark IV and Tiger tanks, but escaped after an allnight battle, in which six German tanks were knocked out. Three selfpropelled guns were destroyed. German Version Claiming a success in the Carrocetta area, the German News Agency war reporter says: “It took the Germans less than two days to clear the Carrocetta area, where British forces were encircled. The last resistance of a few scattered enemy troops was broken yesterday. The Germans immediately occupied a newly-won line running north of Carrocetta. Fierce artillery duels are going on in this area. British casualties are estimated to be at least 500. The Carrocetta encirclement has brought home to the Allies that the march to Rome, if it should succeed, will be paid for heavily.” The weather around the Anzio beachhead is making it difficult to land Allied reinforcements and supplies, says the Associated Press correspondent at Naples. Troops of the Eighth Army are again engaged in active patrolling along the entire front.