OVER BEACH-HEAD SOUTH OF ROME

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 February 1944, Page 3

OVER BEACH-HEAD SOUTH OF ROME

Attacking Waves Met by Allied Fighters MANY BROKEN UP SHORT OF OBJECTIVES BALANCE OF LOSSES HEAVILY AGAINST GERMANS LONDON, February 8. Today was one of the busiest days yet in the air over the beachhead south of Koine. The Germans sent over wave after wave of aircraft and as each wave appeared it was me y P*" fiz> and Warhawks. All day long air battles took P^ ce Romany of the enemy formations were broken up before they could reach their objective. At least 19 enemy planes were shot down and 12- more were crippled, for the loss oi four Allied planes. M ... Many other squadrons of planes attacked German positions and other targets round the beach-head. On land, things were relatively quiet yesterday, except lor shell fire from both sides. Allied troops have further consolidated their positions. . , The German-controlled Rome radio admitted advances by British and American forces and stated that in places the German troops have taken up new positions. On the main Fifth Army front, heavy fighting is still g°jpg’ on at Cassino and on the high ground further north. The America,ns have taken 500 enemy prisoners.