CERVARO TAKEN

Waikato Times, Volume 194, Issue 22245, 14 January 1944, Page 3

CERVARO TAKEN

SUCCESS OF AMERICANS

CAPTURE OF PEAK MENACE TO CASSINO

(United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Jan. 13 American troops of the Filth Army have captured Cervaro, four miles east of Cassino. A report from Algiers says the town was captured after heavy fighting. The American troops have pushed on and captured a peak about a mile to the north. The Fifth Army occupies all the high ground protecting Cassino from the east. Strc,3 American patrols are driving beyond Cervaro. Patrols are moving across the flat, open country, nearing Paslinelle, which is a hamlet only three miles from Cassino. Bitter fighting is going on further south, where British and American troc.ps are driving forward into the lower slopes of Monte Trocchit, 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 ol rocky strongpoints at the cayonetpoint and blowing them from holes with grenades. The Allies attacking south-wesi of Roccheta progressed to a depth oi 1000 yards at some points, reaching positions overlooking the road tc Antino. The capture of this roac would crack Cassino’s northerr anchor. French Troops’ Success French troops south-west of the road are fighting fiercely, scaling £ 4000 ft. peak, which was one of the toughest features in this area Heights reported in a communique as captured hy the French are arounc the village of Acquafondata. The French movement is gain ini; momentum, squeezing Acquafondata from two directions. On the Eighth Army front activities are limited to patrolling anc artillery exchanges. Ferocious Fighting The military commentator of the Algiers radio stated that Alliec troops, still pressing forward in the Cassino corridor, have capturec further enemy strongpoints. Or Wednesday it was reported that the Fifth Army had seized a ring o; heights around Cervaro and or Thursday the Allied Force Headquarters announced that Cervaro was in our hands. During the past several days British and Americar infantrymen had fought ferociously against stiff German resistance ir the mountains surrounding this village. Although the German hac constructed what they believed to be formidable defences in depth the Allied infantrymen inched ahead taking first one dominating heigh' and then Another. The battle ragec under the most severe mountain conditions but the Germans slowly retreated. Prisoners captured throughout the fighting for the Cassino corridor stated that they had been ordered to hold out to the last. The French troops of the Fiftt Army have taken Monte Raino anc Monte Mollino, both of which changed hands several times. The Allies now hold high ground overlooking Acquafondata. While patrolling and artillery duels are the principal activity o: the Eighth Army front the nature o; the fighting shows an increased tendency towards close hand-to-hanc combat. Artillery and mortars continue to roar across “No Man’i Land,” but the opposing infantry are continually drawing closer tc one another and sharp patrol clashes are occurring in the coastal sector The artillery barrages started large fires in the German-held town o; Orsogna. Ready for Final Attack A war correspondent says tha' Cervaro is four miles east of and dominates • the approaches tc Cassino itself, the Fifth Army being in position to launch the final attacks on the town. Another war correspondent’s message, describing the French advance states: French troops of the Fiftl Army, under General Juin, had e great day yesterday. Fighting in the northern portion of the line southwest of Rocchetta they launched attacks in mountainous districts anc made progress at several points to e depth of 1000 yards in the mos northern point of the sector. On the south road fierce fighting is taking place for Monte Casale, e large range with its highest peal 4000 _£eet high. With the capture o; Monte Raino and Monte Mollinc they, are now overlooking Acquafondata. American troops, fighting fo] Monte Capraoine and Cervaro, captured them and completely occupiec the village despite unfavourable weather. Air and Naval Bombing An air communique says: Yesterday bad flying weather limited operations. Medium bombers, however attacked railway junctions anc bridges at Arce. Fighter bombers attacked enemy positions near Orsogna. Two enemy aircraft were destroyed. Three of our planes are missing.