Current Eents January 17, 1944;

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY JANUARY 17, 1944:

The pre-invasion task in Britain all ready is far advanced, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower disclosed today, even as Gen. Sir Henry Maitland Wilson hinted at new blows in the Mediterranean, possibly into Southern France.

 The Germans were reported retreating anew today be- ' fore pressure of a powerful new Red Army offensive  north of Novosokolniki where lne Russians cut the railroad line leading to Leningrad.
The newspaper Pravda said Red Army men were surging forward over smooth snow fields, ripping
German lines and intercepting their retreat.

Attacking along a 30-mile front, American nnd French troops of Lt.. Gen. Mark W. Clark's Fifth Army reached the steep banks of the Rapido River which runs through Cassino, and have begun battering assaults on the Gustav defense line, main barricade to Rome, Allied headquarters announced today.

 

                        OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 1944

 Plans Well Under Way for
Blow at Germany, Leader
Reveals on London Arrival
By LEWIS HAWKINS
LONDON, Jan. 17.—(AP)—
The pre-invasion task in Britain all ready is far advanced, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower disclosed today, even as Gen. Sir Henry Maitland Wilson hinted at new blows in the Mediterranean, possibly into Southern France.

                            DENTON, TEXAS, MONDAY AFTERNOON, JANUARY 17, 1944
Nazi Fail to
Halt Advances
Russian Troops
Driving Toward
Latvian Border
By HENRY C, CASSIDY
MOSCOW, Jan. 17.—(AP)
—The Germans were reported retreating anew today be- ' fore pressure of a powerful new Red Army offensive north of Novosokolniki where lne Russians cut the railroad line leading to Leningrad.
The newspaper Pravda said Red Army men were surging forward over smooth snow fields, ripping
German lines and intercepting their retreat.
An in other major retreats, the dispatch said the Germans were attempting to demolish every thing in
their- path, burning villages, blowing up bridges and herding the local populations westward.
The new offensive began with a surprise assault on German fortifications around the- railroad town of Nasva. Pravda said tlie Nazi line was broken on the first night of attack and thaVNasva fell the next day at noon. The Germans counter- attacked with tanks, self- propelled guns and Infantry but were repulsed quickly.

 Troops
Nearing
Cassino
Reach ;Banks of
River Running
Through Town.
By WES GALLAGHER
A L L I E D HEADQUARTERS,
ALGIERS, Jan. 17.—
Attacking along a 30-mile front, American nnd French troops of Lt.. Gen. Mark W. Clark's Fifth Army reached the steep banks of the Rapido River which runs through Cassino, and have begun battering assaults on the Gustav defense line, main barricade to Rome, Allied headquarters announced today.
Tlhe exact penetration where American troops finally pushed up to the Kayido. which runs almost due north and south nt Cassino was not announced. Previously, however. U. S. Infantrymen l-.ad stormed and captured Mt. Trocchlb, {he last high ground before Cassino. whose peak Is but two miles from the town, and it was possible that they had thrust on down the slopes to Cassino Itself.. ,
The French of Gen. Alphonse Juin also smashed through preciptous
hills and mountains in the Spiny Apennines to reach the upper RnpIdo, having previously .captured the village of Cardito and another of the many Mt. Croces which dot the Italian terrain.