Current Events February 16, 1944;

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY FEBRUARY 16, 1944:

U.S. Infantrymen with one-third of Cassino already in their hands, opened an all-out offensive yesterday

to expel the Germans from the shell-torn city only a few hours after B17s had wrecked the historic Benedictine monastery, transformed into a fort by the Nazis, and the biggest obstacle in the 12- day American drive on the stronghold.

 WITH THE FIFTH ARMY NEAR CASSINO, Feb. 16—

Flying Fortresses laid stick after stick of high explosives across the peak of Mount Cassino, and great clouds of smoke rose over the German fortified monastery founded by St Benedict 1,600 years ago.

 ALLIED HQ., North Africa, Feb. 16 (AP)—

A British Tommy in the last war, lying in a shell hole after a disastrous defeat, was reported to have said—"Well, thank God we've got a Navy." Many British and American soldiers on the Anzio beachhead are saying that now, and with reason, for Naval units are blasting away at all parts of the German front line, and at many vital communication, assembly, and supply points behind the enemy lines. Six-inch long-range guns and cruisers can fire on any target

 NEW YORK, Feb. 16—

At the 82^nd  annual meeting of the Board of Managers and Members of the American Bureau of Shipping, Lewis Lukenbach, president, asserted that the shipbuilding effort of American shipyards during the war had reached a point where the U.S. Merchant Marine now ranks first in the world in numbers and tonnage.

 NEW DELHI. India. Feb. 16-

 Armored "freight cars of the air" —the world's biggest sky transports — will be in use by spring, flying supplies from India to China. Maj. Gen. George E.Stratemeyer, chief of the Allied Eastern Air Command, said yesterday.

Armored "freight cars of the air" —the world's biggest sky transports — will be in use by spring, flying supplies from India to China. Maj. Gen. George E.Stratemeyer, chief of the Allied Eastern Air Command, said yesterday.

New York, N.Y.—Belfast, Northern Ireland. Wednesday, Feb. 16, 1944.

Drive Opens To Win All Cassino; Bridgehead Advance By British Gains Back Area Lost To Germans Planes Rip Enemy Lines North And South Of Rome

U.S. Infantrymen with one-third of Cassino already in their hands, opened an all-out offensive yesterday

to expel the Germans from the shell-torn city only a few hours after B17s had wrecked the historic Benedictine monastery, transformed into a fort by the Nazis, and the biggest obstacle in the 12- day American drive on the stronghold.

As other US. heavy bombers smashed at German communications both north and south of Rome, British troops on the Anzio beachhead beat off several enemy Infantry attacks near Carroceto, then moved slowly ahead to regain all of the territory lost since Kesselring launched his first counter-attacks on Feb. 3. 

Large-scale fighting- in other sectors of the beachhead, quoted in yesterday's dispatches from the front, said German movements indicated that they were regrouping for another attack. Nine German divisions were reported in readiness along the beachhead lines, with eight others in reserve, the United Press said,

Bitter Fighting In Casstao

In Cassino bitter hand to band fighting was in progress. Some U.S. Infantry units were reported crawling up the bills overlooking Cassino itself in a final effort to dislodge the Germans from their pillboxes and open the way for the drive to the Via Casilina— the road to Rome.

Before the Flying Forts attacked the Benedictine monastery, American troops were withdrawn a safe distance from the target, but as soon as the smoke from the bombs cleared. artillery opened up on the entire hillside and U.S. troops moved into their former positions.

German radio said the monastery was enveloped in flames following the attack, and denied the structure was being' used for military operations.

 Benedictine Monastery Bombed

Of Necessity To Rout Out Nazis

WITH THE FIFTH ARMY NEAR CASSINO, Feb. 16—

Flying Fortresses laid stick after stick of high explosives across the peak of Mount Cassino, and great clouds of smoke rose over the German fortified monastery founded by St Benedict 1,600 years ago. The attack by 15th Air Force bombers followed a .warning in 11,000 leaflets dropped that destruction of the stronghold was a military necessity.

.Whether monks and refugees in residence there had heeded the warning was not known. The Germans had fortified the structure with big guns and turned it into a huge pillbox in defiance of an appeal from the Vatican to spare the historic site.

An official announcement from Allied Headquarters, yesterday afternoon said the first wave of Forts flew over at 9.30. After this attack between 50 and 100 Germans fled from the famous monastery. The second attack sent 200 more scurrying out, and these were blasted by Fifth Army guns. Direct hits were scored on the monastery, it was stated.

Foxholes At Anzio Echo - -

'Thank God We've Got A Navy’

 ALLIED HQ., North Africa, Feb. 16 (AP)—

A British Tommy in the last war, lying in a shell hole after a disastrous defeat, was reported to have said—"Well, thank God we've got a Navy." Many British and American soldiers on the Anzio beachhead are saying that now, and with reason, for Naval units are blasting away at all parts of the German front line, and at many vital communication, assembly, and supply points behind the enemy lines. Six-inch long-range guns and cruisers can fire on any target

:five minutes after Army observers spot it under a system of liaison developed between ground forces and the Navy. Present sea support is in the hands of the British Navy with some Dutch ships participating, while in the initial landing the American Navy also played a big part. In the beachhead battle, warships day and night have shelled the coast between Anzio and the main. Fifth Army front, effectively closing the coastal road to the Germans. A light metal high explosive shell almost like an ack-ack shell is used.

U.S. Merchant Navy Tops

World in Ships, Tonnage

NEW YORK, Feb. 16—

At the 82^nd  annual meeting of the Board of Managers and Members of the American Bureau of Shipping, Lewis Lukenbach, president, asserted that the shipbuilding effort of American shipyards during the war had reached a point where the U.S. Merchant Marine now ranks first in the world in numbers and tonnage.

Aerial 'Freight' Cars

To Fly Aid To China

NEW DELHI. India. Feb. 16—

Armored "freight cars of the air" —the world's biggest sky transports — will be in use by spring, flying supplies from India to China. Maj. Gen. George E.Stratemeyer, chief of the Allied Eastern Air Command, said yesterday.

The new transports, carrying larger pay loads at higher speeds, and equipped to defend themselves, "will enable us to fly supplies to areas of China we

have been unable to serve before," Stratemeyer said.