BITTER FIGHTING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 January 1944, Page 4

BITTER FIGHTING

ON FIFTH ARMY FRONT PERSISTENT ALLIED THRUSTS. INTO DEFENCES COVERING CASSINO. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.15 a.m.) LONDON, January 13. Strong American patrols are now driving beyond Cervaro, which Americans of the Fifth Army captured yesterday, says Reuter’s Algiers correspondent. Patrols, moving across flat, open country, are nearing Pastinelle, which is a harnlet only three miles from Cassino. Bitter fighting is going on farther south, where British and American troops are driving forward into the lower slopes of Monte Troccio, which is the last mountain barrier blocking the Cassino Pass. One British and two American thrusts are being made against the eastern and southern slopes of this height. They are prising the enemy out of roeky strongpoints at the bayonet point or blowing them from holes with grenades. The Allies, attacking south-west of Roccheta, have progressed to a depth of 1000 yards, at some points reaching positions overlooking the road to Antino. The capture of this road would crack Cassino’s northern anchor. French troops south-west of the road are now fighting fiercely, scaling a 4,000-foot peak which is one of the toughest features in this area. The heights reported in a communique as captured by the French are around the village of Acquafondata. The French movement is gaining momentum and squeezing Acquafondata from two directions.