The Guardian from London, Greater London, England • 5

THE MANCHESTER GUARDIAN, TUESDAY. MAY 16, 1944 GUST A LINE CRACKING THE FOUR ALLIED THRUSTS MANY ARRESTS ROME French Columns Developing nivisonwu ft ini in.r ALGIERS MOVE French "Provisional Government" IN TURKEY Pro-Nazi "Plot" COMMITTEE TITLE From onr. Special Correspondent Algiers, May IS. aignmcant Breacn SECRET SOCIETY UNEARTHED From oar Special Correspondent Ankara, May 15. -Excitement has been aroused in (Velletri a 1'ijmHfiAi -s.

A debate on foreign policy in the EIGHTH ARMY PUSHES ON Enveloping Movement in Liri Valley: Important Road Cut orgiQ 1 aet3 ft. I Ml LBS ifv on Railways Arrows show the direction of and the French, and American thrnsta Into the approximate progress of (reading from north to south) the Polish, British, Gustav Line. The of the Allied offensive Is shown by a dotted line. THREAT TO CASSINO GARRISON Tanks Leading Eighth Army Drive in the Liri Valley The battle in Italy continues to so well for the Allies, and General Alexander's communique yesterday announced "a significant breach in the Gustav Line." In a dispatch from Allied H.Q. last night Reuter's correspondent said that two-thirds of the German line between Cassino and the sea had been torn to ribbons." General Juin'a men, by capturing Ausonia.

have in fact gone right hrough the Gustav defence in the sector midway between the two nam roads to Rome. Fanning they have already entered 5 an vliorgjo, four miles to the north, which will help the Eighth Army's thrust along the Liri Valley, and they are threatening Esperia, five miles west of Ausonia, which is said to be a bastion of the Adolf Hitler Linethe next defence system. British and Indian' troops in the Liri Valley, attacking again yesterday with a spearhead of tanks, have cut an important road about two miles below Cassino in what war correspondents last night described as a wide enveloping movement that threatened the main inland highway to Rome. South of Ausonia, the Americans have cut the Ausonia-Fprmia roadand they were reported last night to be fighting on the outskirts of Spigno. Of a total of more than 2,000 prisoners taken on the whole front during the first three days of the offensive more than 1 ,200, including six battalion commanders of the German 71st Division, were captured by the French.

SURPASSING EXPECTATIONS at Brilliant Feat of the French Corps From our Special Correspondent mas to. -J Mignano pS PAS DE CALAIS TARGETS Forts' Day Attack American heavy bombers again took part when offensive operations were resumed yesterday "against enemy communications, airfields, and other targets in France. There was still a good deal of cloud over several of the areas raided, but early reports showed that no interception was attempted by the Luftwaffe and that the bombers, both heavy and Wight, were able to carry out their missions" unimpeded except for flak. A communique from united states Strategic Air Force Headquarters stated that Flying Fortresses and Liberators of the Eighth Air Force attacked German military installations in the region of the Pas, de Calais. Mustangs provided escort, but no enemy aircraft were encountered, and all the bombers returned safely.

One of the fighters was lost. MARAUDERS NEAR PARIS Marauders and Havocs, bombing through openings in the clouds, attacked without loss a railway yard in Northern France and an enemy airfield at Creil, 25 miles north of Paris. Mitchells and Mustang and Typhoon fighter-bombers raided an airfield at Courtrai and railway yards at Courtrai and Gisors. Thunderbolt fighter-bombers dive- bombed installations at the airfield at Gael, 25 miles west of Rennes, and an airfield near Chartres, south-west of Paris. They suffered no loss and saw no enemy aircraft, savs an official communique.

Strong support was given to the atackina by Lightnings and Thunderbolts of the American Ninth Air Force and by RA.F., Dominion, and Allied Spitfires of the Second Tactical Air Force. According to Vichy radio Lille and Valenciennes were bombed during the morning, savs Reuter. On bunday night Mosquitoes of Bomber Command made an attack on Cologne. Objectives in France and the Low Countries were also bombed and mines were laid in enemv waters. From these operations all' aircraft returned.

RAIDERS CROSS COAST A Sharp Attack A small number of enemy aircraft crossed the South Coast of England last night. Bombs were dropped at two places on the coast. me attacK was described by an observer as "sharp." Flares were dropped and there was heavy gunfire from coast batteries. Five people were trapped in one town, wnere damage was done to some, property. Rescuers were at work early to-day.

SOVIET BLOW AT NAZI CONVOY Three Transports Sunk The sinking of three German transports off the northern coast of Norway was officially reported from Moscow last night. Heavy raids on oases ana communications in Southern Poland and Southern Latvia were also announced. A Navy communiqu6 said: During Saturday night air reconnaissance in Northern Norway In the area of the port of Kirkenes sighted an enemy convoy consisting of sixteen transports and twenty -five escort The Soviet Air Force bombed the enemy vessels, ana as tne result tnree uennan transoorts totalling 19J5CO tons, a self. propelled barge, an auxiliary craft and a patrol cutter were sunk. Three other enemy transports were set on fire and one of them was beached.

In addition two other transports and escort vessels suffered damage. RAIDS ON RAILWAYS An air communique said On Sunday night our long-range aircraft raided enemv military trains at the rail way junctions Rava-Busskaya 130 miles north-west or i.wowj, stryj L40 mues souta of Lvow, and Bvinsk CLatvia). Eight fires were started at the railway junction of Bava-Susskaya, one being very large. -Two military trains were set on fire in the central part of the junction. Several heaw exnlosbms observed among-the fires.

Enemy trams "apnroa'rhing Rava-Busskaya and others near the station were machine-gunned end shelled by cannon Are. At the station of Ukhnov 10 miles northeast of three fires accompanied by explosions and a military train was set on fire, on the line east of the station. At tho' station of Dobrosin 11 miles south-east, of Rava-Busskayal a military train vnu blown up' by a direct bomb hit other military trains were' smashed- and set -en nre at ana near me nation or uava- xne railway rune Hon of stm leeted to a' similar intense' bom- At the railway junction ol Dvinsk many" fires were started and- tmcaa, railway platforms, and enemy, military warehouses -were enveloped in The fires were accompanied by explosions. One. of our "planes failed to return to its 'i Tbi routine Soviet High CVmnnand communique, saia During' 15 rid material took place at the Motem-sorav' biiks were.disaBled'-or frowdAri fimulflT.

on fronts and 33 enemy 'planes were shot French Consultative Assembly closed with the unexpected resolution that the Committee of National liberation should henceforth be called the Fro-visional Government of the French RpnuhMo Tt was adooted amid cheers. I The matter was not debated the pro-1 noser simnty argued mat tne previous I sd.wMhe 1 people within and without France, and that the new title was at tne level oil e': 25 aemurieu waeo ue lavtc was uuiunu otolv oftoc nHre. Ho Psi. nnt nJi rnmn rr Tho nam titia ati ipranxh ztmMir, mnir I fore, be presumed that the Committee of I National Liberation will adopt an ordinance to that effect. What international conseauences.

if any. there may be is not yet clear here. GOVERNMENTS TASKS The Assembly unanimously adopted motion entrusting' me- ixovernrnent with three tasks 1. To conclude arrangements with the Allies which will ensure the active suDDort of the French population for the landing forces ana guarantee sovereignty. i.

To discuss witn trie Allies armistice or treaty terms that wilt avoid any renewal of aggression and will ensure French security within the framework of international security. 3. To establish the foundations of an international order for peace which will take account of the interests of all nations, whatever their importance, as well as geographical, economic and other necessities which will strengthen peace by reeional understandings. The effective solidarity of the nations should be manifested by' the creation of international organisations capable of ensur ing by co-ordination of production the economic and social progress on 'Which world security depends. The debate was one of the most keenly, thought out and most skilfully areued of all the Assembly has held.

M. Massigli was severely taken to task by several speakers less because his handling of affairs was blamed than because it was the only courteous way of drawine attention to what are felt to be injustices ot Allied policy. TheTlmesE'Mancnesier Guardian' Service DARLAN PACTS REPUDIATED Algiers, May 15, During the French Assembly's debate on foreign policy General de Gaulle declared that the Government did not consider itself bound by agreements reached between the late Admiral Darlan and General Mark Clark. These agreements gave the Allies far- reaching control of North African ports and communications following the lancungs or iMovemoer. ib2.

neuter. POLISH AND WAR MINISTER Resignation Demand From a Polish. Correspondent London, Monday. With increasing determination members of the Polish National Council to-day pressed for the resigna tion of the Commander-in-Chief and the Minister of War and for what they called "a general sweep of the system in the Army. There were angry scenes and banging witn nsts on tne taoie when an inde pendent member, air.

Bozetc former leaner ot tne minority in Germany, called for tne resignation of the Commander-in-Chief and the Minister of A little earner he had said that, although he was not accusing single people, tney must Dear tne responsibility for the regrettaole situation in me Army, in wiucu men woo were responsible for the defeatand weakness oi foiana in ana lor an sons or nlottms since are occunvinir hifh positions. fldnafat STtilrfa) o1a 4 Via table 4 with. bis flst. retorted that this appealed to the Speaker to protect him and the Hi eh Command against such insults. Other members, including the Christian Democratic' member Dr.

Kusnierz. joined in the demand for the resignation of tbe Commander-in-Chief and the Minister. Dr. Kusnierz said that under the protecting wings of the Commander-in-Chief were those who were responsible for Poland's weakness in 1939. It is obvious that members of the Council win try to press the issue, and that the Peasant party mar support the Socialists in tbe motion of no confidence which so far has not yet been decided owing to the Speaker's refusal to put the Question to the vote.

The debate continues and the Govern ment is watching the outcome with great interest, realising that although the Council is only an advisory body its opinion on such a vital matter as tne leadership of the Army cannot be ignored much longer. SUSSEX SHELLING Request for Military Inquiry The military authorities have been asked to hold an inquiry into the shelling of Steyning, Sussex, on Sunday, when two persons were killed and three uO urea by sneus nam aruiiery practising on the Sussex Downs. It became known last night that fifteen mile from Stevnine another bursting sheO incident on Sunday, afternoon injured a man on an suirnrnenx at wes, He is Mr. Herbert Brown, of East Way, Lewes, who is in hospital with an' injured arm and shock. His two children bad a narrow eseape RUSSIAN PATRIARCH DEAD Moscow 'radio( l-st jnight; announced the death, of SergiuA Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, aged 78.

In September last ye Sergius played a leading cart in endihg the long anta-conlsm between -the Church and the Soviet Government He led the deputa tion from tne Kossian orthodox cnurcn which was told by Stalin that the Soviet Government obiectioo their wish-to convene a conclave ox tnsnoo abdTelect a 'Patriarch. elected siriM the HeTmet Dr. GrefetfciArcbbishoplifr- A Turkey by the discovery by the Turkish police of a secret orgamsa- tion ramifications all over the country. which was unearthed as a result of investigations carried out latter the demonstrations which took place Ankara two weeks ago. When some of the instigators of those been organised in 1940.

with strong Nazi uu It.f-"v"ca Jpwa to auriasn con- and- Pan Turanian theories memDers oi tne societv were Its ahiect was to change the Turkish Constitution in a maimer suiting its purposes to reform lunusn puouc me according to racial ideals to carry on relentless war against the Jews, non-Moslems, and all who are not of pure Turkish stock and tn Anno habited by people of Turkish blood. The society was of revolutionary character and was ruled by a secret committee of four, the members of which were designed to occupy respec tively the posts of President of the Republic, President of the Grand National Assembly, Prime Minister, and Chief of the General Staff. Membershin was repmitwt nmnns oil classes of the people, -but especially among university and high school pro- lessors. most OI its tiromotprc Turkish Moslems from Russia, who emigrated to Turkey. xt 13 strongly suspected that this movement was instigated and financed by the Germans and that it has been responsible for the campaign which has Deen going on TUritey against the Anglo-Turkish alliance arm Russia and for other Fifth Column activities.

great number of arrests the precise figure is not yet available-have been made in Istanbul, Ankara, and other parts of Turkey as far as distant Diarbekir. The headquarters of the society were in Istanbul, which has Deen unoer martial law since 1940. Adherents to the societv will 'come fnr trial before court martial In Istanbul. TheTunes'as'Manehester Gnardlan' Service NEW GUINEA BASES HEAVILY BOMBED Rocket-Gun 'Planes CTo-day's report from Advanced Allied Headquarters in New Guinea states that Allied bombers dropped 220 tons of bombs on Wadke Island. From oar Special Correspondent In Australia, May 15.

Allied bombers have dropped over 780 tons of bombs on Wakde and Carmi, in Dutch New Guinea, in one week. Ih the third and heaviest attack on Saturday over 200 tons of nomas were unloaded on Wakde air strip. Wakde, which is 110 mileB west of Hollandia, is -the closest enemy base to Allied-held territory. Recent raids have driven the Japanese from Wakde back to their base in Geel-vink Bay. Allied bombers' rsnmul inin Western Dutch New Guinea on Satur day to atiacjc airneias in the bay.

The Jananese holding nut in tha Hollandia area are appearing in guer- ruia parties oi twenty or tnirty, using hand grenades. Seventy-eight more enemy troops have been killed and 33 captured. rartner to the east United States and Australian naval forces have joined in daily blows along the Wewak-Hansa coast at the Japanese Eighteenth Army. Dauntless aircraft based on the Solomons are equipped with rapid-firing rocket guns in the wings, which have proved effective in strafing attacks. Hidt, -o, t' Sfl wSirSt ZtZl' I sbe Guardian SerylCo MORE TRAINS TO BE 1 WITHRP A W7M I VV I HMJI.t YV Public Warned The Railway Executive Committee announce that for some time past the pressure on the railways has been in creasing, and already a number of passenger trains have had to be discontinued.

It will, be necessary to withdraw without notice manv more train dur ing this summer, and they will be taken offprogressively. The public will therefore be well advised to avoid travelling, and in particular conferences involving long-distance travel should- not be held. Some nftv -organisations have ar ranged to hold conferences at Blackpool between now and September. Among them are the Co-operative Congress at Whitsuntide, the miners' conference in July and the Trades Union Congress in September. SCOTTISH EXPRESS DERAILED Three People Killed Three people, an A.T.

girl, a woman, and a man in ECAF, uniform, were killed and five others taken to hospital with, minor injuries when the London-Glasgow express left the rails 'early yesterday two miles south of etna Junction. Later the bodies identified as of A.T.S, Jermie -McKeown. of Hamilton, Lanarkshire. Ti.AC W. Blair, of Uddingstone, Lanarkshire, and Mrs.

K. F. Curne, of Burnbank, The engine iell -on its -side, the first two. coaches 'were telescoped, seven others were deralkvi. and a becamea' ritf: nf matchwood and twisted steeL flrsf it was.

reported that nobody: bad -been; killed or seriously Injured, as the bodies were not diacrraerad'nntilTnto' yesterday when most of the wreckage of resteroar hundreds of r-4in' assisted i by clearmgthe lift engteeTbe Armnot.onBrol vfded but: akn hnir-bo AitzS maflaiaeThl ui both directions werei diverted itotto from there to San Giorgio, a further 2i miles to the west. British troops, led by tanks, continued to push against doggedly resisting Germans, who apparently are being thrown in by companies in an effort to stop the rapid number of gaps being torn in their lines. When fresh attacks were opened yesterday they were not preceded by the customary artillery preparation but launched with tanks and infantry nitenng into the German lines together. This took many Germans by surprise and caught many prisoners, who were forced to leave their ground positions and surrender to the infantry or be crushed tinder the tracks of the tanks. I saw some thirty of these prisoners who were being guarded on a newly captured site across the Rapido River.

They were mostly a tired, surly, and urish'jveri bunch, although physically tough. Several were wearing the Iron Cross. Among them was one veteran with the sleeve band of the Afrika Korps. The youngest appeared little over sixteen. LIKE "JOURNEYS END" Allied troops occupy a 'number of typical strong points which are a feature of the Gustav Line.

I visited one a cellar tinder a demolished house. It was cut to a depth of nine feet underground, shored up by wooden beams with a reinforced ceiling of steel girders covered by planks, and some six feet of stone, earth, and rubble from the demolished walls piled up over it. Inside it was something like the dugout in Journey's End "-Alined with tiered wooden bunks, with a candlestick in a bottle tor illumination, just as the Germans left it. i The terrain over which fighting is now going on is close country, full of little hills and banks which make advances slow and costly. Much of it is covered with olive groves, through which the tanks find it hard to manoeuvre.

It improves as far as mobility is concerned as our advance oushes the Germans back towards the' Adolf Hitler Line. LOSS OF CANADIAN FRIGATE 121 Missing News was received in London yesterday that the Canadian frigate Valleyfield has been torpedoed and sunk while on convoy duty in the North Atlantic Details of the action have not been released. Thirty-eight members ol the Valley-field's complement are listed as sur vivors, five are dead, and the remaining 121, including the captain. Lieutenant Commander S. T.

English, R.ON.R, of Halifax, Nova Scotia, are missing. Five of the missing and three Royal Navy ratings were not members of the crew but were borne for passage only, Among the survivors was a Royal Navy rating, Robert E. Daley, tele graphist. FJK 40413. i The following R-N.

ratines are listed as missing Telegraphist Reginald iJicKson. ujx. Telegraphist Harry Norman. DJX 427047; EJUU. 4th CL A.

Ledrew, PLX 92699. borne for passage Steward E. W. J. Noble.

LTLX 30008. borne for passage and Ord. Tele graptust u. Hancock, ltjx 216037, oorae tor passage U.S. SCIENTISTS Call-Up Policy Questioned From our own Correspondent New York, Mat 15.

American scientists are gravely dis turbed because compulsory military service is now being- applied to young scientists regardless of the important work they are doin for. the war. It is pointed out that this is largely a tech nological war and that work done in laboratories may be more important than anything the same man could possibly do on the battlefield. Already many young- scientists engaged in vital war -research have been put into and more will soon be taken unless. Congress or the President insists on a change in policy.

SIR W. CHAMBERLAIN Sir William Oiamberlain. North-west Traffic. Commissioner" was taken ill yesterday in the reception-room of the Lord Mayor's apartments at Manchester Town Hall and was taken to the 'private patients' home at the Royal Infirmary. Sir William had earlier attended the ooening of the Safety First Exhibition at the Central Library It-was stated at the nursing home last, night" that he had undergone an operation and was as well as could be US.

INQUIRY; A. United States pilot, Second Lieutenant N. Gore, whose "plane crashed, on to a motor van at Duxzord, Irr February, Wiling the driver, William RrnjairriTi Bradley, of Wembley. wiU aooear before? an. American court- martial at Cambridge dn-Thursday on charges iSvpurmT Reuter's special correspondent at Allied Advanced Headquarters, Italy, cabled last night that two-thirds of Kesselring's Gustav Line has now been torn to ribbons.

There are indications (he said) that the Germans are reinforcing their Liri Valley defences, but it is doubtful whether fresh support can be pushed fast enough to save the fast- crumbling defence line. The strength ening of the remaining third of the Gustav Line across the Liri plain may lay jvesseirins open to a serious out-flanking threat from the south. where the French are developing their breach of the enemy defences. Eighth Army spearheads are, However, striking out beyond the bridgehead, and the great weight of Allied armour now across the Rapido threatens to develop the penetration into a full-scale break-through. Kesselring may decide to fight a delaying action with what strength he now has in the Gustav Line, throwing in all his extra power into the Hitler Line, ten miles farther back.

The Germans claim that this second line is far more formidable than the Gustav Line. THREAT TO "HIGHWAY SIX" Reuter's Special Correspondent with the Eighth Array, cabling last night, said British and Indian troops yesterday drove deeper into the Gustav Line with a series of attacks that carried them astride an important road in a wide enveloping movement south of Cassino. If Route Six. the road to Rome, were cut bv this movement the German aarrisons would seem to face the danger of being isolated in the town of Cassino and on Monastery Hill, the anchor of the Gustav Line (says Reuter's correspondent). The front line yesterday appeared to run roughly along the road from Cassino to Pignatoro, five miles to the west, and BERLIN ADMITS WITHDRAWALS Anxiety Over Anzio The German News Agency correspondent on the Italian front (quoted by Reuter) wrote last night "Reconnaissance in the Nettuno bridgehead indicates that the Anglo-Americans are preparing for an attack.

General Alexander intends to give support to his troops who have so far failed to break through in their large-scale attack on the southern front by a simultaneous attack in the' Pontine area." The agency admitted that "west of Coreno and west' of Appolinare between San Ambrogio and San Giorgio! German troops have taken up new and prepared defence positions in' -the mountain massive. Both localities were evacuated." Coreno was defended for seven hours before its "evacuation." West of Minturno and below Cassino the German account added; German troops over to vigorous and successful counter-operations, inflicting heaw losses unon the Allies, particu larly upon the 81st American Infantry i vision. The Fifth Army had Increased the artillery support of its infantry with a drum-fire barrage lasting several hours, while simultaneously the Eighth Army threw in strong tank forces "in an effort to force a breach in the Liri area near San Angelo. and south of Cassino. Fierce fighting developed west of San Angelo.

where the Allied breach was widened by another one and a Quarter miles, but sealed off by German counter-measures." A German High Command statement broadcast last night claims that Santa Maria Infante has been recaptured by German troops "THE NEXT 8-14 DAYS Hallensleben. chief military correspondent of the German News Agency, wrote last night The nest eight to fourteen days will elucidate questions which so- far the belligerent parties have left open. It that the German High Command do not consider mat invasion wHl- come as a single and coherent operation on one specified day. They -believe they have sufficient evidence mat the enemy will choose varied forms of attack at different dates. Reuter.

APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY A unit for research in applied psychology has been established at Cambridge by 'the Research Council by arrangement the University. The unit will undertake work elsewhere than at Cambridge when required, including investigations within, the -field of the, council's Industrial Health Research Board. STRAITS WEATjK lAST NIGHT Wintry nd under celling ofIgwoud visibility ex-ceJlent 'the Jsea cahner, the 5nortn-narth-earter ly wind bavirtg diopprf to ji breeze temperature at 10 was 41deg. During the day the-barometer has dropped a few points. Spigno, about three miles north-west of S.

Maria Infante. The advance made by the. British Corps in the Liri Valley has been less' spectacular but is equally praiseworthy. This perhaps is the most intricately defended sector of all and is commanded by German positions on the Cassino heights, so that they could pour down mortar and artillery fire on our men ngntimg tneir way for ward through fields and orchards round San Angelo. In these conditions rapid advance is impossible.

Gurkhas cleared the cellars in San Angelo of the enemy in spite of the difficulty presented by mounds of rubble for the advance of tanks. Other, troops auvancea sown oi tne village. THE RAPIDO BRIDGES More bridges have been built across the Rapido, and those already built have been secured, although at one time yesterday a single bridge was reckoned to be receiving the attention of some thirty German guns. Actually damage to the bridges so far has been due more to the river bed. which protects them to some extent from enemy fire.

Large numbers of tanks have been brought over the river, but they have had to contend with extremely wet ground and more have been bogged than have been knocked out by enemy fire. Mines have proved rather less troublesome than had been expected. Instead the enemy had in some cases used overhanging branches of trees to contrive booby traps. During yesterday the enemy put in strong counter-attacks against -the British bridgehead along the railway in we area soutn-west of Cassino; the attacks were supported by tanks, multiple-barrelled mortars, and artillery. This sector, as well ne fh rsaeinn heights, is being held by the German First Parachute Division.

whiVh im "Saturday night had lost 121 prisoners, I including four officers. The brunt of by the 71st Infantry Division, which previously had been wiped out at Stalingrad. More than 1,200 prisoners have been taken from this division moue. mciuaing six oattauon com- manners. LUFTWAFFE TRIES TO INTERVENE For the third day in succession the Allied Air Forces have flown 2,500 sorties or more, mainly in support of the new ground offensive.

Only six Allied aircraft are missing from all these operations. The enemy yesterday made two attempts to intervene in the ground battle before Cassino with ngnter-oomoers. in tne Hrst case twenty or more Focke-wuife and Messerschmltts were intercepted by our fighter natrols before the- were shl tn noma our troops, whue in the second case a formation or enemv 'nianea was forced to jettison its bombs over Aree. Altogether eight of these enemy 'planes' were snot aown. While our heavv bombers continued oreaKing up railway communications in ixortnern Italy, ngriler-bombers gave valuable support to Allied ground troops, in the battle area.

Warhawks ana Thunder bolts created road blocks at nan a aozen important points behind the enemy lines, while others strafed gun positions and troon concentrations. wring tne nignt. tuur. Wellingtons attacked two important railway bridges over the Tagliampnto. in North-eastern Italv.

In both -cases the hrlitiM hit with block-busters and were certainly, aamagea not put out ox action. it-ft-r. UDeraiors bombed the oil refinery, at Porto Marhera, on the tongue of -land between Venice and Mestre. The refinery, is assumed to be of particular importance since the wrecking or tne Fioesti refineries. The FRENCH IN SAN GIORGIO General de Algiers radio) Gaulle (according "'to told- we Consultative Assembly in Algiers last night that he had Just received telegram from General Juin announcing that.

French troops. had errtered, Sh Giorgio and have taken large-numbers of At an- earlier stage in-the' sitting De Gaulle said that the German- with-' drawal vas --becoming: -increasingly apparent on the French sector in Italy, and that the- ensmv was putting back in disorder." Beater, Allied H.Q,, Italy, May. 15. The. offensive of the Fifth and Eighth Armies is surpassing the best expectations.

The French Corps, fighting with typical French fury, has broken clean through the Gustav line and taken the small town of Ausonia, on the other side of the mountains they have had to scale, and already hold heights overlooking San Giorgio. They have been well seconded by the Americans nearer sea, who have taken Santa Maria Infante and have crossed, the Formia-Ausonia road. North of the French, in the Liri Valley. British and Indian troops have secured and enlarged their bridgehead. They have advanced to an average depth of 2,000 yards beyond the Rapido.

Polish troops, after a terrific effort on the deadly heights north-west of Cassino, are engaged in securing positions they have taken. At heavy cost they have done what was required of them. Cassino, with Monastery Hill, is now practically by-passed and must soon-fall like a ripe pear. At least 2,000 German prisoners have been taken since the battle started. FOUR "CROWBARS" After Alamein General Alexander explained to war correspondents his conception of to through a fortified enemy position.

It is like breaking through a wall with a crowbar," he said. "You thrust the crowbar into the wall with the greatest possible force. Then you try to enlarge the hole thus made by waggling it round. When you have made the hole larger you- thrust again." In this battle four Allied crowbars have been hurled at the German wall, one by the Poles, one by the British, one by the French, and a fourth by the Americans. The Poles are stuck for the moment.

The British and Americans are still waggling' their crowbars round after the first thrust, the French are well through the -wall and busy enlarging the hole. Their magnificent-success will help the wall to crumble at the other points. THE FRENCH SUCCESS It is impossible to rate the French achievement too highly. In three days they have advanced a clear six storming a series of mountains which are comparable in height and ruggedness to the Scafell Range They have reached the Ausente Valley, leaving Coreno, which was normally a' German regimental headquarters, to be mopped up later. They have seized Ausonia, and the troops which have taken it have pushed on and seized Monte Castellone and Monte Cantelupo, which are close on San Giorgio.

i Simultaneously their flanking troops have fanned out in the San Ambrogio salient, which lies, between the Garigliano and Liri Rivers and which the Germans held only lightly owing to the formidable obstacle presented at this point by the swift-flowing Garigliano, and have occupied the villages of San Andrea, San Ambrogio, and Santa Pollinare. It is hardly likely that they, will be able to continue to advance at same fate down the defile which runs, through the hills beyond Ausonia. Pockets of the enemy still remain to be mopped up, and they will have to organise communications through the -difficult country, they have traversed. On. the other, hand, they are in a "position to give valuable.

help to the British and Indian troops fighting their way through the intricate defences clothe Liri Valley; while on the' south they have- opened the way for the: Americans advancing up the; The Americans: after bitter fighting, yesterday cleared Monte Bracchi and Monte ion either sideSpfvthe Ausente torrent were advancing yesterday afternoon on the village of "'Reuter: berw'CarlisIe and Lockerbie..