GENERAL PROGRESS

Waikato Times, Volume 194, Issue 22261, 2 February 1944, Page 3

GENERAL PROGRESS

GAINS ON THREE POINTS (OfnciaJ Wireless) (Received Feb. 2, 1 p.m.) RUGBY, Feb. 1 British and American forces established round Anzio struck inland and reached Campo Leone, 16 miles south-south-east of Rome and 15 miles north of Anzio. They also reached Cisterna, 14 miles north-east of Nettuno. Campo Leone is on the railway 4J miles south-west of Genzano. An Allied communique states: ritish and Americans attacked from positions on tne Anzio beachhead and reached the outskirts of Campo Leone and Cisterna. On the main Fifth Army front French, Americans and British forces advanced in many places despite numerous counter-attacks and stubborn resistance from prepared positions. The Canadians advanced against the stiffest opposition in the Adriatic coastal sector. Elsewhere on the Eighth Army front patrols have beer, most active.

“Airfields at Klagenfurt (Austria), Aviano and Udize were bombed yesterday by heavy bombers. Hits were scored on landing areas and barracks. Light bombers attacked the railway at San Beneddette. Fighters flew patrols in co-operation with the land forces. There were more than 800 sorties. Fighters intruded over the airfields of Southern France. “Eighteen enemy aircraft were destroyed in the air and a number on the ground. We lost four planes. Enemy Ships Attacked ■ “Our naval light coastal forces operating in the Adriatic sank on Saturday night a large schooner and a small enemy tanker between Sibenik and Split. Allied aircraft on Sunday sank a supply vessel and scored a direct hit on a large vessel, causing an explosion. Adamas harbour was bombed and a fire started. Shipping in Stampalia harbour was attacked yesterday. A JUBB was destroyed in this area. Three of our aircraft are missing.”

With ideal conditions prevailing the Navy was able yesterday to increase the scope of the landing of men and material on the Nettuno beachhead and maintain the bombardment of enemy positions close to the front line and near Formia, says a correspondent at Allied headquarters. The British cruiser Penelope took part in the bombardment. The air forces also took an active part in the operations in support of the land forces, despite bad flying conditions. Reinforcements From North The Germans are bringing up reinforcements from north of Rome. Hitherto they had to rely on men drawn from the Fifth Army front. Wellington bombers in strength last night set fire to an oil refinery at Trieste which in peacetime produced 16 per cent of Italy’s fuel oil. The crews reported seeing the glow of fires when' a long way on the homeward journey. No planes were lost.

Fortresses raiding Klagenfurt did not encounter fighter opposition and bombed at will through light flak. Klagenfurt is the home of several aircraft facte lies, including a subsidiary Messerschmitt plant. Photographs taken during Sunday’s heavy air attacks on the enemy’s four principal airfields in north-east Italy show 72 planes destroyed or damaged on the ground. 7 his is in addition to the 63 enemy planes destroyed in the air.