The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-01-28

(Continued from Page D
 The second strong German count er-attack against the rim of the steadily expanding beachhead was made Wednesday against British forces striking up the road from An- zio toward Albano on the hills just outside of Rome. Albano Is 13 miles southeast of Rome and 20 north of AnZio.
 On the main fifth army front American troops, apparently across the Rapido river in force, fought fiercely against the slowly yielding Gustav line positions to close 8 net around CaSsino, keystone of the German defenses on the southern front.
 Just north of Casino the United States assault forces advanced in the face of heavy German fire artillery, mirtar and machine gun--acroSS heavily mined irrigation ditches.
 On their right, Gen. Alphonse Juin's French troops hammered out limited gains.
 BlOOdy battteS They were locked in bloody battles on the Belverdere mountain feature north and slightly west of Cassino. It appeared that the American French drive was swinging around to the north to flank Cassino, with 8 commentator said is strongly de- fended."
 (United Press Correspondent eRy- holds Packard reported from the field that an American attack had carried forward several miles and the beachhead comprised 70 sqquare miles when the dispatch was filed yesterday0
 (Reports reached Madrid from Rome that street fighting was going on in the capital, with anti-Fascist Italians attacking German soldiers. Several explosions were heard in the city, they said, and the Germans were breaking up all gatherings of more than two persons0 CThe Cairo radio said the Allies now hold a stretch of the Appain Way somewhere between Rome and Gaeta, and advanced elements had penetrated the area of Cisterna, on the same highway 13 miles northeast of Nettuno0
 1 British and American troops have further enlarged their beach, head south of Rome" the Daily said. "A strong counter-attack was launched against the British, who threw it back, taking many pris- oners."
 Front advices revealed that Ger man prisoners captured in the fighting south of Rome were menl- bers of the 18th Panzer Grenadiers.
 Scale Heights
 Some 60 miles to the southeast on the main Fifth Army front, Amer ican troops were reported sealing strategic heights west of the Rapido river in the face of heavy gunfire. Limited gains carried them to one key height, and they were nearing several others.
 Several miles north of the Amer ican sector around Casino, French troops smashed forward in the face of stiff German resistance, beating down determined counter attacks in the difficult mountain terrain.
 Allied warships maintained the steady bombardment of the coastal road behind the German lines in the Fmia area, designed to impede any movement of NaI troops from the old front to the Rome beach, head.
 Allied planes supporting the in- vaSion troops and hammering Ger man positions ran up one of their biggest days bags, downing 50 Ger man planes.
 Twenty eight were destroyed over the beachhead, 21 by heavy bombers and their escorts over MarSeilles airportS, and the 50th by the coastal air force.
 Text of COmmunique
 French troops are continuing their advance to the west several miles north of Casino despite dif- ficult mountain terrain, determined enemy resistance and fierce counter attacks.
 American troops are scaling mountains west of the Rapido river in the face of heavy fire from the enemy's prepared position. One height has been reached and prog ress has been made toward several others.
 British and American troops have further enlarged their beach, heads south of Rome. A strong counter-attack was launch d against the British, who threw it back, taking many prisoners.
 Aggressive patrolling continued on the Eighth Army front.
 "Airfields at Montepelier, Istres le Tunbe and Salon were attacked yesterday by strong forces of heavy bombers. Many hits were scored on hangars and in dispersal areas.
 Medium bombers attacked road and rail communications at Terni, Orte, Velletri and Colleferro.
 Fighters and fighter -bombers throughout the day ranged over roads and railways. Bombs were dropped on Terelle, Ceccina, Bel monte and valmontone.
 lover the beachhead, fighters maintained a constant offensive.
 During the day, tactical and strategic aircraft flew over 1,400 sorties. Fifty enemy aircraft were destroyed.
 Seven of our aircraft are missing, but pilots of three are safe"