Evening star., 1944-01-19
British Open Western |ta|yDrive>
Set Up Bridgeheads Across River
Along Key Coastal Road to Rome
Advancing Forces
Overcome Fierce
Nuzi Resistance
MAP on Page Az
Ey the Associated Press.

of 1t. Gen. Mark w. Clark'S 5th
Army, advancing under intense
mortar and machine-gun fire
have crossed the lower Garigli-
ano River at three points con-
verging on the ancient Appian
Way, for centuries the main
coastal highway to Rome.
The attack was launched at 9 D m
Monday, Allied headquarters an
nounced today, and all three bridge
heads were secured despite violent
enemy resistance. which included a
rain of fire on the river itself, 80
miles southeast of Rome.
The first crossing was made near
Suio, village miles inland from
the Tyrrhenian coast and located on
a hill 500 yards beyond the river,
Headquarters said heavy fighting
still is in progress there.
Two Other Bridgeheads.
The second bridgehead was estab-
lished along the railroad running
from Capua to Rome, miles from
Vic CUdSl.
The third was at Argento, almost
on the coast itself, where the Ger
mans countered with a tank attack
in a desperate but futile effort to
drive the British back across the
river.
(The German high command
said several Allied divisions had
launched strong attack in Italy
least of the Gulf of Gaeta" where
fighting was continuing in full
force. The Garigliano empties
into the Gulf of Gaeta.)
Preparations for the crossings ap-
parently were made by British raid
ers, who jumped the estuary of the
Garigliano less than three weeks
before and delivered heavy blows be-
hind the enemys lines in the Min
turno area.
Important Bridge Destroyed.
This penetration on the night of
December 80 destroyed an important
highway and railway bridge used by
the Germans, cut other communica-
tions and resulted in the capture of
prisoners who were brought back to
the 5th Army headquarters for ques-
tioning.
The new offensive on the coastal
lowlands came wtla American and
French troops probed vigorously at
the so-called Gustav Line around
Casino, 20 miles inland from the
mouth of the Garigliano.
American patrols already had
crossed the Rapido River in the
Casino area, but were forced to re-
turn with reports that the Germans
apparently were concentrating their
defenses for one of the most furious
battles since the fall of Naples
French forces operating in the
mountains on the right flank of the
Americans increased their bag OF
prisoners to 900 in six days.
Heavy Fighting Across Italy.
In contrast to the clear, cold
weather which prevailed over most
of the 5th Army front, rain drenched
the 9th Army on the Adriatic END
of the line across Italy.
Canadian troops advanced against
fierce opposition to take limited OBJ
jectives, but then were forced tc
withdraw by German counter
attacks, and headquarters said the
Canadians still were engaged ir
heavy fighting.
At SAINT Angelo, on the Sangro
River in the mountains mile!
north of Capracotta, British troops
clashed with Nazi ski patrols.
The British Navy announced the
shelling of four German-held har.
bors along the Dalmatian and Al
banian coast.
Sporadic Destroyer Raids.
The naval communique said Sia
British destroyers - the Tyrian
Grenville, Blackmore, Lidbury, Trou-
bridge and Tumult-engaged ir
sporadic raids along the Eastern
Adriatic during the week. They
shelled Rovigno, Durazzo, Vela Lux
and the Island of Korcula
In addition smaller British forces
torpedoed small ship in Sumartir
Harbor on the Island of Brac anc
engaged the Seibel ferry. American
motor torpedo boats attacked light.
ers off Spezia, port on the Gull
of Genoa in Northwestern Italy.
Flying Fortresses and Liberator'
escorted by Lightnings blasted Ger
man communications at five points
in Northern Italy.
The forts, in an attack on PiStoia
20 miles northwest of Florence, hi
the airfield and rail facilities, de
stroying locomotive sheds and roll
ing stock They also scored hits OF
freight yards at Poggibonsi, Is mile
southwest of Florence, and wrecked
tracks at Pontedera on the mail
line from Florence to Pisa, and a
Ccrtaldo, a few miles northwest o
Poggibonsi.
Pisa Rail Yards Raided.
Liberators bombed the rail yard
at Pisa. Headquarters also an
nounced the airheld at Pisa hat
been heavily attacked by bomber
Monday night.
Early today Raj Wellingtons at
tackled rail facilities at Pokasiev'
junction, 10 miles east of Florence
Medium bombers struck in thu
Rome area, American MitchellS ant
Spitfires scored Is bomb hits on {
3,000-ton freighter off Leghorn, ant
American and Raj Kittyhawk!
bombed a 200-foot vessel off thu
Island of Polca.
Lighter planes were active ovel
the battle area as well as along tht
Yugoslav coast.
Fighter opposition was light, al
though returning flyers reported
heavy fax over the Yugoslav coast
Seven enemy aircraft were de-
stroyed, against the loss of three AL
lied planes.
r " ~