The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-06-05
wrecked by Allied bombs.

| Allied 1lBnUerS anu 11BHLeTspOHlp-
ers swarmed out ahead Of the
advancing ground forces and rained
steady hail Of bullets and bombs
on retreating German tanks, trucks
and other vehicles clogging roads
almost bumper to bumper as far
north as Lake Bolsena, SO miles
above Rome. At least 900 tanks and
and other vehicles were destroyed
or damaged yesterday alone.
The increasing destruction Of the
enemy's transport, his lack Of ade-
quate reserves and the overwhelm-
ing numerical and armored super
iority of the Allies raised hopes here
that the Fifth Army may be able
to overtake and destroy consider
able portion Of the retreating forces
before they reach their next forth
fled line hinged on Florence and
stretching across the narrowest part
of the upper italian Peninsula.
Allied planes also bombed high
ways and bridges north Of Rome in
a further effort to stall the enemy
retreat. Pilots reported German
dead were visible along the roadside
beside their wrecked and burning
vehicles.
Some elements Of the Fifth Army
passed Rome from the east in
their race to cut off the German
withdrawal, while other forces to
the southwest were nearing the
mouth Of the Tiber river.
All the Coli Lazial-the Alban
Hills-between the Via Casilina and
the Appian Way southeast of Rome
were under Allied control" an
official spokesman said, with the
enemy survivors fleeing toward the
| Tiber Estuary.
Northeast of the Via Casilina, the
Fifth Army occupied Palestrina and
Cave, five and three miles. respec-
lively above Valmontone.
Thousands Of German troops
both southeast and southwest OF
Rome appeared in imminent dan
ger of death or capture as result OF
the sudden collapse of enemy re-
sistance Immediately below the
capital. German prisoners captured
since the start of the current often
sive May IL already exceed 10000.
The enemy's plight was further
increased by the supposed severing
of the only bridge across the Tiber
west of Rome in an Raj raid Sat-
urday night. g.
The British Eighth Army, mean
time, ctruck deep into the enemy's
flank in the Sacco river and Liri
river valleys capturing Paliano
eight and a half miles northeast OF
Valmontone and nearly IS miles
northwest of Ferentino; Fiuggi
eight miles north of Ferentino, and
Guarcino, eight miles northeast OF
Ferentino.
American reconnaissance ele-
ments of the Fifth Army pushing
along the Via Casilina first entered
the southeastern outskirts Of Rome
at two points at 8 and 8 a. m. res
pectively yesterday and few hours
later reached the official city limits
One American force met stiff re-
sistance at the outskirts, principal
ly fro mthe Hermann Goering Di-
vision, a fter an eight-rnile advance
but other elements severed high
way five at the northeastern en-
trance to the city and then cleared
the outskirts toward the southeast
without too much difficulty.
While British elements of the
Fifth Army on the left flank cross
ed the Rio Toroto and drove to
within six miles Of the Tiber, an
American column rolling down the
hills from the Coli Laziali captured
Grotta- Ferrata and Marino. north
east of Lake Albano; Genzano, on
the west shore Of Lake Nemi, and
other points.
presumably overrun in the adj
vance were Castel Gandolfo, site OF
the Pope's summer home, and Fras-
cati. former German headquarters
town.
The American entry into the
Rome city limits was announced by
Allied headquarters In a special
communique shortly after Q o'clock
q p. m. EWT) last night. which
said sporadic resistance was being
encountered from German rear
guards.
But 1t was obvious even then that
the complete liberation OF the city
was only a matter OF hours and
General Sir Harold r. l.. O. Alex
ander, Allied commander In Italy,
joined with Premier Marshal Pietro
Badoglio OF the Italian government
In plea 10 the population to facil-
itate the Allied passage through the
capital lin order TO continue the
destruction Of the German armies
farther north"
The final battle for Rome was
fought In the six miles OF suburbs
stretching along either side Of the
Via Casilina TO the south eastern
rim Of the city itself.
The Americans had broken