The Wilmington morning star., 1944-02-11
Rome S Capture
Without Damaqe
is Allied Problem
BY LYNN HEINZERLING


Z: WITH THE FIFTH ARMY AT
CASINO, Feb. 7.-Delayed)- Up
The Fifth army's scrupulous re-
spect for the abbey of Monte Cas-
sine, high on hallowed peak
above the battle-torn town Of Cas-
sine, emphasizes a delicate prob
lem facing 1t. Gen. Mark W. Clark
in planning for expulsion of the
Germans from the Holy City of
Rome.
x The Italian capital, in addition to
embracing Vatican City, is stud
ded with shrines sacred to all
Christians.
TT will present problem even
more perplexing than that of Paris
10 1910. Paris was declared an open
city and left undefended as. the
Germans approached. It escaped
damage.
In the final analysis the type of
warfare employed by the Allies in
expelling the Germans from Rome
will depend on the manner in which
the German high command decides
to defend tiff the city is to be
defended. -..-
It is certain that the Allies will
make every reasonable effort to
spare the multitude of ancient and
holy shrines in the city. The Allid
record in their advance through
Italy and particularly in it's re-
gard for Monte Casino indicate
this beyond a doubt.
Monte Casino stands out above
the Casino Rapido valley and sur
rounding mountain peaks for miles
almost like radio city dominates
midtown New New Yrok. It is a
perfect observation post and many
soldiers are convinced it is being
used as such. Whether or not it
is being used as an observation
post the Germans have installed
series of stone. concrete and steel
Notifications about it using its pre-
eminent position for defensive pur-
poses.
Although it puts the Allies at
disa dvantage and undoubtedly has
cost American lives, Allied artil-
lery has carefully, spared the
ground trod by st. Benedict. 1t has
picked off targets far down its
slopes and scrambled German
traffic on the road which winds
about its base but the peak and
abbey have been scrupulously pro-
tected.
=: The Germans, taking advantage
of the Allied att de toward re-
-iigious shrines, have seized it and
established positions in the very
shadow of the aged buildings.
There is nothing to indicate this
extreme patience on the part of
Allied commanders will be chang
ed when Rome is reached.
- There have been reliable reports
that the Germans already have
laid mines in the Eternal City, al
though so far there is nothing to in
iicate they are prepared to blow
1r churches and shrines.
= As one soldier put it today, the
Germans will determine the scope
If the fighting in Rome and if
they decide to make it another
Stalingrad they raust answer for it
n the worlds history
- The Allied attitude toward
church property was illustrated at
Salerno where the Germans used
.hurch on the side of hill as an
observation post.
Allied artillerynen, not realizing
he building was a church, put a
aole in it. That afternoon an Amer
!can chaplain saw the damage and
;ook up a collection. He presented
10000 lire $4,000 to the church for
repairs.
This is not to say the churches
in Italy have been unscathed by
var.
have seen many of them dam
aged or completely wrecked. Many
Of them were brought down by
high explosive bombs dropped by
planes. A few were hit by Allied
artillery seeking to silence enemy
guns placed in the protection OF
their walls. l have seen German
mortar shells falling into churches
as Allied ground troops fought
their way into towns.
Nevertheless, the policy in the
Fifth Army is that churches are
not to be damaged or used unless
absolutely necessary. Occasionally
when M other building is available