AMERICAN GAINS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25456, 10 February 1944, Page 5

AMERICAN GAINS

BATTLE FOR GASSINO STRONG GERMAN DEFENCES LONDON, Feb. 8. The Americans have again advanced in shell-swept Cassino, but the major part of the town is still in German hands. The British United Press correspondent with the Fifth Army says that the Americans to-day, after a day of rest, swept up the slopes of Monastery Hill behind Cassino to attack strong German defences. The Germans used mortars against the advancing troops, but the Americans were unable to use their guns because of the existence of the monastery and the proximity of other American troops. The Exchange Telegraph’s Zurich correspondent says that it is confirmed in Berlin that General von Kesselring had orders to defend the line between Gaeta, Cassino, and Pescara at all costs. The establishment of the Nettuno bridge-head has not changed this determination. Additional reinforcements have been despatched from France to the north of Italy in order to strengthen the defence positions protecting the railway lines from the south.

The battle for Cassino has reached a whirlwind of fury resembling the violence of the battles in Russia, says the Paris radio. General Clark has thrown into the cauldron 35,000 men and 400

tanks, strongly supported by artillery, in an attempt to outflank the town from the north. The radio adds: “ The Allies on the beach-head south of Rome have gone over to the defensive, but it must be remembered that General Alexander no duobt expected thg German coun-ter-offensive and made preparations for more than a walk-over. The initiative is now firmly in German hands.”