STRONGER DEFENCE BY GERMANS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 202, 24 May 1944, Page 7

STRONGER DEFENCE BY GERMANS

Allied Gains In Italy LONDON, May 23. “The battle continues relentlessly,” states today’s Allied communique from Italy. Following earlier news that the Germans had brought up reserves, the resistance has stiffened on the southern and central sectors of the line, but in 'spite of this the advance goes on across difficult country. The Americans are reported to be pushing up the slopes or the dominating height in the Ausoni mountains overlooking the Appian Way. In the Pico area the enemy with tanks has tried hard to shake off our grip on heights overlooking the line. In the Liri Valley the situation is officially stated to be unchanged. The Germans are still clinging grimly to heights in the Piedimonte area.

(By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) LONDON, Muy 22. The British United Press correspondent at. Allied headquarters reports that the whole of the Aurunci Mountains has been cleared of the enemy. The breach have captured Monte Leucio, three pules west of Pontecorvo, putting the Allies three miles inside the Hitter Line, which is also threatened by the capture of hign ground north-west of Pico and the entry of Allied troops into the outskirts ot Pontecorvo. The Allies have also cu. the Pontecorvo-Pico road, turning tne Hank of the enemy defences in the Lin V Polish troops are fighting in Piedmonte. The Americans on the coastal sector occupied Monte Sanbiagio, just north of the Appian Way and four miles west of Fondi. , t , The Allies now threaten to turn the Pontecorvo- Aquino line, which is the most highly-organized portion of the Hitler Line positions, says a "limes correspondent at Allied headquarters. [Aquino is on the main road six miles west of Cassino, and north-wept of Pontecorvo.] , , . , Commenting on the advantages gained by the French-American drive across the Pontecorvo-Terracina road and tlie capture of heights beyond, he says that the enemy troop movements in the past 4b hours suggest that the German High Comnpind sets great store on holding the Aquiiio-Pontecorvo-Pico sector. The Germans have certainly been transferring troops from the * Adriatic coast, and smokescreens put up on the eastern side of the Anzio beach-head suggest that they are drawing on the divisions Jn that area.

The Eighth Army is in close contact with the Hitler Line on both sides of the Aquino airfield, four mites north-ejist of Pontecorvo, says a later message, lhe Canadians penetrated the line north-east of Pontecorvo. The Americans pushing northward from the Appian Way captured further heights and are tapping into the Hitler switch line. Their advanced patrols were forced to withdraw from Terracina in the face of enemy reinforcements, and are now two and a half miles back along the highway. German Food Shortage.

Reuter’s correspondent says there are signs that the German rations are petering out as the result of the tactical air force cutting the roads. Allied planes have strangled the German supply lines since March 24. Medium bombers yesterday attacked bridges in the battle area, and fighter bombers made many sorties in support of the ground forces, attacking bridges, guns, motor transport, and troop concentrations. Fighters maintained .the battleline patrols. Our 'bombers attacked ports on the west coast of Italy last night. Twenty-four enemy planes were reported over the battle area in* daylight, eight of which were destroyed. Five of ours are missing. The Allies flew approximately 1450 sorties.

FIRST PHASE OF BATTLE ENDS

Both Sides Suffer (British Official Wireless.) (Received May 23, 7 p.m.) RUGBY, May 22. With the breaking of the Gustav Line the first phase of the (battle is considered over, says a message from General Alexander’s headquarters. “From now on we hope to keep the enemy dancing and prevent him from stabilizing auyhere," the message states. “All Kesselring's mobile reserves, including one division from north of Rome, have 'been committed to the battle line. Seventeen divisions are known to have been drawn into the line. Seven divisions are severely mauled and others are still mixed up. In addition to more than 6000 prisoners, the enemy has suffered severely in killed and wounded.” “Our losses have been considerable, but not out of proportion to the results achieved," stated a high officer on General Alexander’s staff. Defence Lines Ahead.

A Reuter correspondent says there are tVi’o specially suitable positions where the Germans may attempt to stabilize the lint and make another stand. The first is between San Giovanni and Ceprano, and the second between Ceccano and i rosinone. A spokesman at Allied headquarters predicted that the battle for Rome would be fought along a new German defence line which aerial reconnaissance had revealed astride the two main roads from the south. Photographs show a line oU miles long from the Avezzano mountains southward through al roonto»e, and incorporating the Alban hills, befoie con tinning'to the sea.*