Evening star., 1943-12-06
Position Commands
Road to Rome
West Of Mignono
BY the Associated Press.

ALLIED HEADQUARTERS Al
giers, Dec. 6.-The American 5th
Army, by passing German
strong points, has captured new
heights commanding the road
to Rome west of Mignano, while
the British 9th Army's drive has
carried to the Moro River, 1C
miles beyond the Sangro, Allied
headquarters announced today.
The Nazis launched strong coun-
terattackS against American and
British infantry in bitter hand to-
hand battles, and threw in fresh
relnforcementS including mecha-
nized carriers against the 9th Army
In a desperate attempt to halt the
smashing Allied drives. A fame
throwing tank was captured by the
British.
A counterattack west of Vena:ro
was hurled back by the 5th Army
with severe enemy losses.
More High Ground Taken.
1t. Gen. Mark w. Clark's head
quarters announced that the Ger
mans, who are fighting stubbornly
for every inch of ground, had been
driven from three more commanding
elevations by the Americans who are
smashing into Nazi Notifications in
the area of the rugged slopes of
Mount Maggiore British infantry
of the 5th Army are roofing out
Nazi defenders in the equally rough
area of Mount Canine.
From their neWly-won positions
the Allied troops could gaze out
across the valley to Casino, and be-
yond it to the valley which leads
northwest into Italy's capital
In one sector, small units of Ger
mans still holding out on the sum-
NIT of a ridge were cut off by the
Allied drive well beyond.
Destroyers Aid Offensive.
British warShips. steaming boldly
within range of enemy shore bat
teries, were disclosed to have sup
ported the 9th Army's drive up the
Adriatic coast in recent days with
bombardments of German supply
AodlC-c, DdSCo anu o1lpH14ls
The British destroyers bombarded
the coastal road between Pescara
and Giulianova, sent shells into the
coastal towns of Ancona and San
Benedetto, and sank three enemy
coastal craft and merchant vessel
Aerial support of the Allied ground
forces was limited by bad weather,
but the enemy-held Yugoslav port
of Split was bombed yesterday by
medium bombers and a floating
dock at Orbetello, on Italy's west
coast, was hit and left burning.
The 9th Army's drive to the Moro
River represented gain of about
two and half miles from San Vito,
capture of which was announced
yesterday, and carried the Adriatic
offensive to within IA miles of
Pescara.
German losses on the Adriatic
front were described officially as
heavy. In some places on the
mountains the Germans had dug
into solid rock to a depth of s feet,
and had to be driven out in hand-to-
hand combat" headquarters
spokesman said.
Gen. Clark's 5th Army punched on
through similar formidable defenses
Mount Maggiore and Mount Ca
mino are about miles southwest OF
Mignano, through which winds
Highway No. 6, the road to Rome.
Allied headquarters said the Nazis
had thrown nine divisions. 100000 tC
1875 900 men, into the defense of the
line they had hoped to hold through
the winter.
Although no mention was made
of forces the Germans may be hold.
ing in reserve nearer Rome, it is
known that Nazi forces have beer
pulled southwark from Marshal Err
win Rommel's pool in the north.
Fresh Allied Forces.
Reinforcements also have reached
Italy for the great Allied offensive
a belated dispatch from an Allied
held port disclosed yesterday. II
said Canadian tankmen and motor
lied troops had arrived after an un-
eventful crossing.
Reports that an Italian army Of
more than $4,000 men was poised ir
the Abruzzi Mountains in the line
of the German retreat before tht
British 9th Army came, meanwhile
from acknowledgement Spain.
An Argentine just arrived at Bar.
celona from Italy said there wer'
reports that the Italian Army wa
preparing for action against tn,
Nazi rearguard in the Adriatic sec
tor