GERMAN ATTACKS HELD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25455, 9 February 1944, Page 3

GERMAN ATTACKS HELD

POWERFUL ENEMY FORCES LONDON, Feb. 7. British and American troops, supported by tanks for the fourth day running smashed a series of strong German counter-attacks against the Anzio beach-head, says Reuter’s correspondent at Allied headquarters. In the British sector, two miles north of Carrocetta, he states, one powerful enemy force of infantry, tanks, and artillery was broken up by shell fire before it got under v/ay. Elements of at least five German divisions have been officially identified on the 30-mile arc-shaped front around the beach-head. The British in the latest fighting at Anzio have taken another 300 prisoners. Battle for Cassino ' Stiff fighting is still progressing in and around Cassino, where the Americans are within one mile of the Rome road behind the German garrison in the beleaguered fortress. The threat to the road is increasing, but the Germans show no signs of pulling out.

West of Cassino the Americans are within a few hundred yards of the crest of the 1600-foot hill on which stands the famous Monte' Cassino monastery, which the Germans have converted into a strong-point. Rifle and grenade attacks, mingled with artillery duels, are going on for possession of the monastery. Vicious fighting continues in the streets of Cassino. The British United Press correspondent at Allied headquarters says that more than 100 guns are in action against the enemy occupying the monastery and on the neighbouring hills as a preliminary to the final Allied assault. The Germans are known to be moving mobile artillery up and down the slopes, probably along the hill tracks.

The Berlin radio said that the British and Americans at noon yesterday broke into the German battle lines northwest of Cassino, but were driven back. The radio claimed that the Germans since the Allied landing at Nettuno have taken prisoner 2100 Allied soldiers and destroyed 66 tanks. The Cairo radio quotes a Bari report that Italian patriots have cut the Rome-Cassino railway line. Hampered by Snow

Snow and bad weather has hampered activity on the Eighth Army iront, but troops advanced and occupied Pizzio Ferrato and Monte Nerodomo, which are 12 and 13 miles respectively north-east of Castel di Sangro, and a few miles south of Torricella, which was captured recently. The railway and a bridge at Orte and the road junction at Frascati were attacked yesterday by medium bombsrs. Light bombers attacked communications north and 'south of Rome. Fighters maintained patrols over the Anzio beach-head, and shipping in Piombino Harbour was bombed by medium bombers. During these and other operations 10 enemy aircraft were destroyed. Thirteen of ours are missing.