NEW GERMAN LINE

Waikato Times, Volume 194, Issue 22248, 18 January 1944, Page 3

NEW GERMAN LINE

DEFENCES NEAR CASSINO FRENCH MAKE PROGRESS GENERAL PAYS TRIBUTE (United Pres* Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright; (Received Jan. 18. 1 p.m ) LONDON, Jan. 17 American patrols have already passed -the Rapido river, which is the last water obstacle before Cassino. It runs two miles south of the town. The Germans have built strong defences along its northern bank. French troops captured additional heights in advance from Aquafondata. They are now overlooking San Elia, which is about half a mile away. It lies five miles north of Cassino and is situated at the northern end of the Germans’ 30 mileslong Gustav Line, which runs to the Tyrhennian Sea. General Marcus Clark in a congratulatory message to General Giraud said: “The French Expeditionary Corps, fighting in adverse weather over difficult terrain, has succeeded in capturing all its initial objectives against determined German resistance. The corps is continuing to make excellent progress northwards.” Writing from Fifth Army headquarters a correspondent states that in the northern sector French and American troops pushed forward against strongly fortified enemy positions at Cassino, which is the keypoint of the new German defence of the Gustav Line. This line runs from the village of San Elio to the sea, a distance of roughly 40 miles. French troops are within 1000 yards of San Elio, from which the enemy’s defence line follows the Rapido river as far as Cassino and by San Angelo up to the Carigliano river. The line follows the course of the river as far as the village of Broggio and on to the sea. Canadians Improve Positions In the coastal sector the Canadians slightly improved their positions, and in the vicinity of San Eusanio, four miles inland, a German patrol was driven back by Indian troops, who inflicted heavy casualties and took some prisoners. Heavy bombers attacked airfields at Tillorba and Osoppo and the harbour and town of Zara, on the Dalmatian coast. Medium bombers attacked railway installations at Orte and Terni. Gun positions near the river Arielli were attacked by fighter-bombers, and off the Dalmatian coast two merchant vessels were hit. Communication centres at Atina and Formia were attacked by light bombers. Eight enemy aircraft were destroyed and five Allied machines are missing.