The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-06-01
BY LOUIS +. KEEMLE
United Press War Editor

Allied forces began punching
holes in the Alban hills defenses
below Rome today.
Northeast OF Lake Nemi gain OF
two miles was registered and an adj
vance unit striking west of Lanuvio
thrust into F'osso di Campoleone,
10 miles from the outskirts OF
ONE.
The gains made were described
in the official communique as Tim
tied but important" suggested that
progress was not measured in yards
or miles Of advance but in strategic
positions occupied which brought in
sight a complete break-through Of
the powerful German defenses.
The stubbornly-held towns Of
Velletri and Lanuvio were out
flanked and the two-mile advance
near Lake Nemi put Fifth Army
troops on the heights dominating
them. Both Of the miniature cita-
dels were under terrific artillery and
aerial bombardment and were con-
sidered doomed.
To the northeast of the line,
Valmontone astride the Appian way
was being encircled as the British
closed in from the west and Ameri-
cans from the south.
See Rome
From their positions on 3,l00-
foot Mt. Peschio overlooking the
preached battle line, the Americans
were in plain sight of Rome.
At the other end of the front,
the Eighth Army was making swift
progress in the Sacco and Liri river
areas, driving the Germans steadily
northwards through the hills. The
most important town taken was the
road junction Of Frosinone, provin-
cial capital on the Casilina way
leading to Volmontone.
From FroSinone secondary es-
cape road branches north and west
ward from the Val Casilina, which
is rapidly being blocked by the Al
lied domination of Valmontone.
Northeast of Frosinone through
the mountains the Eighth Army
took Sora, on the other secondary
road and rail line leading to the in
land stronghold of Avezzano.
In the aerial offensive against
western Europe. British heavy
bombers carried on last night with
a concentrated attack on the in
vasion coast and three major
French railway centers. A force of
UP to $50 planes dropped an esti-
mated 1850 tons Of bombs on the
coastal defenseS, many other OBJ
jectives" and the rail towns of trap
pes, Saumur and Tergnier.
Systematic
The British air ministry described
the attacks as part of systematic
offensive against the railways of
northwestern Europe"
The ministry said medium and
fighter-bombers and fighters of the
Allied Expeditionary Air Force
exclusive Of the vast destruction
wrought by the heavyweights-had
flown 5000 sortieS during May to
wreck airdromes, rail centers,
bridges and other communications
facilities through France, Belgium
and Holland.
Bad weather temporarily halted
daylight air activities this morning.
On the Russian front, Moscow
communique announced that Red
Army forcesh had knocked out l22
German tanks, shot down 1874 planes
and killed thousands Of German
troops In repulsing O series Of Ger
man tank and infantry attacks on
Tuesday and Wednesday north Of
Iasi In Bessarabia. The attacks
were designed to disrupt Russian
preparations for q renewed Of
fensive on the Roumanian front.
Yugoslavla
In Yugoslavia. Marshal Tito called
on his partisan armies to strike im-
mediately with all their might at
German military positions and
communications because. he said.
II Is the eve OF the Allied offensives
from east and west. Co-incidentally,
King Peter and the Yugoslav exile
government In London moved
towards the recognition Of Tito rs
commander-in-chief Of ell the re-
slstance forces In Yugoslavia In
place Of Gen. Draja Mihailovich.
formerly the official leader.
In the Pacific. American forces
on Diak Island off northern New
Guinea encountered fierce resist
aFice from the japanese blocking
their advance 20 tbs Mokmer Air