STRUGGLE FOR CASSINO

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 12, 15 January 1944, Page 5

STRUGGLE FOR CASSINO

FIFTH ARMY WIDENS FRONT

BAD WEATHER GROUNDS PLANES

(By Telegraph—• Preus Association—Copyrighti

Recd. 7.30 p.m. London, Jan. 12. Allied troops of the Fifth Army are now blasting a way toward Casdno on a front nearly 20 miles wide. The original assault launched a few days ago was on a front little more than half that width. Now the French have extended it by a good seven miles. They attacked yesterday in the snow-covered hills north-east of Cassino, and before the day was out had advanced up to 1000 yards and stormed two more of the many fortified peaks which are a feature of this battlefield.

East of Cp.isino and nearer to it the Americans are now firmly established in Cervaro. They captured the village soon after midday yesterday, repelled counter-attacks, and, according- to the latest dispatches, have pushed on to within a little more than three miles from Cassino. Now that Cervaro is in our hands, along with some high ground about a mile to the north, the country stretching toward Cassino is flatter and less difficult, but there is no doubt that the Germans will resist every yard of the way.

South and south-east of Cassino American and British troops are also hammering their way eloser. They still have a mountain barrier to cross. At one point they are only three miles from Cassino. On the left of the Fifth Army front and on the whole of the Eighth Army front things have been quiet except for patrol and gun duels. It is clear that the Germans are now holding a new cielence line in considerable strength in the Adriatic sector. Further inland on the Eighth Army front Grsogna was shelled yesterday for the second day running. It was also bombed. For the most part, however. our aircraft were grounded yesterday by bad weather. INTO OPEN COUNTRY PATROL BEYOND CERVAR-I Recd. 6. 15 p.m. London, Jan. 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 hamlet only three miles from Cassino. Bitter fighting is going on further south, where British and American troops are driving forward into the lower slopes of Mount Trocchio, the last mountain barrier blocking the Cassino Pass. One British thrust and two American thrusts are being mad? against the eastern and southern slopes of this height. They are prising the enemy out of rocky strongpoints at the point of the bayonet and blowing them from their holes with grenades. Allied troops attacking south-west of Rocchetta 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 4000-foot peak which is one of the toughest features in this area. Heights which are reported in a communique as having been captured by the French are around the village of Acquafondata. The French movement is gaining momentum and squeezing Acquafondata from two directions.