FEROCIOUS FIGHTING

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

FEROCIOUS FIGHTING

BATTLE FOR CERVARO Recd. 6.40 p.m. Rugby, Jan. 13. A military commentator on Algiers radio stated that Allied troopg wflo are still pressing forward in the (Jusino coiridor captured further enemy strongpoints. On Wednesday it wm reported that the Fifth Army had seized a ring of heights aroucid Cervaro. and on Thursday Allied force headquarters announced that Cervaro was in our hands. During the past several days British and American infantrymen have fought ferociously against stiff German resistance in the mountains surrounding this village. Although the Germans had constructed what they believed to be formidable defences in depth, Allied infantrymen inched ahead, taking first one dominating height and then another. The battle raged on under most severe mountain conditions, but the Germans slowly re-ti-eated. Prisoners captured throughout tho fighting for the Cassino corridor stated that they had been ordered to hold out to the last. French troops of the Fifth Army have taken Monte Raino and Monte Millino, noth of which changed hands several times. The Allies now hold high ground overlooking Acquafondata A number of German prisoners were taken by the French. While patrolling and artillery duels are the principal activity on the Eighth Army front, the nature of the lighting shows an increased tendency towards close hand-to-hand combat. Artillery and mortars continue to roar across no-man’s land, but the opposing infantry are continually drawing closer to one another, and shatp patrol clashes are occurring. On the coastal sector artillery barrages started large fires in the German-held town of Orsogna. A war correspondent, in a message describing tne french advance, states: “French troops of the Fifth Army under General Juin (had a great day yesterday. Fighting in the northern portion of the line south-west of Rocchetta, they launched attacks in mountainous districts and made progress at several points to a depth of lOOV yards. In the most northern point of the sector a peak 3000 feet high was captured at the point of the bayonet.” On the south road fierce fighting is taking place lor Monte Casala, a large range with the highest peak 4000 feet. American troops fighting for Monte Capraro, near Cervaro, captured it and completely occupied the village. An ar.’ communique says that yesterday bad flying weather limited operations. -MedioAt bombers, however, attacked railway junctions and bridges at Arce, 27 miles north of Gaeta. Fighter-bombers attacked enemy positions near Orsogna. Two enemy aircraft were destroyed and three or ours are mussing. Medium bombers attacked rail installations in Yugoslavia and bridges in tne vicinity of Arce, ahead of th« Fifth Army on the road to Romv. Fighter-bombers which swept over the Dalmatian coast were attacked by about 12 enemy aircraft, two of which, were shot down without loss. Baltimores bombed Palcna, causing fires and explosions. A Navy communique states that during Monday night our destroyers continued to Harass rail traffic on the east coast oi Italy. Return fire from shore batteries at Civitanova caused no damage. They also shelled Pedaso, 40 miles from Ancona, ana startea a ore. —8.0.W.