Evening star., 1944-05-13
Italy
Continued From First Page J

Army units north OF Casino which
drove in enemy outpoSts in the
rugged mountain area and advanced
in the face of the most determined
German defense.
Toughened veterans of the Ger
man 1st Parachute Division launch
ed bloody counter attacks as grim
fighting ragged in the hills north
west of Casino.
A headquarters spokesman eau
toned against any undue optimism
over the initial gains both north
and south of Casino and declared
much stiff fighting lay ahead be-
fore the German defenses in those
areas could be pierced.
Houses Are Miniature Forts.
In the Liri Valley, he said, the
enemy has constructed many pill
boxes and converted houses into
miniature forts.
The capture of Monte Faito by
the French was considered one of
the major accomplishments of the
first day of the big offensive since
it was strong point on which the
enemy hinged the first line of his
bastions in that area.
The weather was generally clear
throughout the day, but visibility
was very poor in many areas, par
ticularly where the crossing of the
Rapido River was made. A heavy
mist in the early morning areas
turned to deep haze during the
day.
Bad visibility also hampered the
Allied Air Forces attempts to aid
the attack by blasting gun positions
in the enemy lines.
Naval support was given the
operation by British cruiser with
an escort of American destroyers
which shelled the Appian Way in
the Terracina area and bombarded
the enemy's big guns in the Gaeta
area. Those guns have been active
against the Americans advancing
in the lower Garigliano area.
200 Prisoners Taken.
The results of the naval action
were reported satisfactory. British
minesweepers had preceded the war
ships into the area to clear away
mines.
Approximately 200 German pris-
onerS were taken by the 5th Army
alone in the first Is hours of the
offensive.
The Anzio beachhead and the
Adriatic sector remained quiet.
The Army commentator expressed
belief that the Allies had achieved
considerable surprise in their at
tack to crush the Gustav Line.
The object of the new offensive,
launched at II o'clock Thursday
night by the greatest barrage ever
fired in the Mediterranean area,
was made plain to the INVASION
conscious world in orders of the
day by Gen. Sir Harold Alexander
commander of the Allied forces in
Italy, and 1t. Gen. Mark w. Clark,
commander of the 5th Army.
Hard, Bitter Fight.
1--WE are going to destroy the Ger
man armies in Italy" Gen. Alexan-
der said The fighting will be hard,
bitter and perhaps long, but you are
warriors and soldiers of the highest
order who, for more than a year,
have known only victory From the
east and west, from north and south,
blows are about to fall which will re-
suit in the final destruction of the
NazlS. To us in Italy has been given
the honor of striking the first bloW."
We can and will destroy the Ger
man armies" Gen. Clark told his
5th Army men. You have placed
the enemy in his present distressing
position of trying hopelessly to hold
back Allied forces which he knows
will eventually overrun him from
two directions
Completely regrouped since the
costly and inconclusive fight for
Casino two months ago, the 5th and
9th Armies struck simultaneously
and throughout the first day of the
offensive had intensive support of
the strong Mediterranean Air Force
The offensive was launched bv
American, British, French, Canadian
Indian, New Zealand, Italian and