Allied HQ, Naples (June 5, 1944)
Communiqué
Allied armies in Italy have established their relentless pressure upon the enemy. Troops of the 5th Army on June 4 entered the city limits of Rome, where sporadic resistance is being encountered. They control the whole of the Colli Laziale and have advanced in contact with the enemy toward the Lower Tiber. Our troops now dominate Highways 5, 6 and 7 leading into Rome.
Troops of the 8th Army in contact with enemy rearguards have made considerable progress. The towns of Palestrina, Fiuggi, Genzano, Paliano, Guarcino and Cave are now clear of the enemy.
The total number of prisoners taken since the start of the attack now exceeds 20,000.
Motor transport, railyards and bridges, highways and road bridges were attacked by aircraft of the Tactical Air Force north and west of Rome and in central Italy yesterday.
Medium and fighter-bombers as well as fighters also attacked rail and other military targets and shipping in Yugoslavia.
Strong forces of escorted heavy bombers struck at railyards in northern Italy and important enemy communication lines along the French-Italian border.
From these operations, two enemy aircraft were destroyed and 11 of our aircraft are missing. Seven enemy aircraft were sighted over the battle area yesterday during the daylight hours.
It is now known that one enemy aircraft was destroyed and one of ours is missing from night operations during the night of June 3-4.
The Mediterranean Allied Air Force flew approximately 1,000 sorties. Last night, our bombers attacked objectives in northern Italy.
Communiqué
Troops of the 5th Army occupied Rome on the night of June 4-5. Leading elements have passed through the city and are across the Tiber in some places.
U.S. Navy Department (June 5, 1944)
Communiqué No. 522
Pacific and Far East.
U.S. submarines have reported the sinking of sixteen vessels in operations against the enemy in these waters, as follows:
- 1 large transport
- 1 large cargo vessel
- 7 medium cargo vessels
- 2 small cargo vessels
- 4 medium cargo transports
- 1 small cargo transport
These actions have not been reported in any previous Navy Department communiqué.
Communiqué No. 523
Atlantic.
The escort carrier USS BLOCK ISLAND (CVE-21) was sunk in the Atlantic during May 1944 as the result of enemy action.
The next of kin of casualties, which were light, have been notified.
CINCPAC Press Release No. 433
For Immediate Release
June 5, 1944
Several enemy patrol-type vessels were sighted west of Truk Atoll on June 2 (West Longitude Date) and attacked by a single search plane. One was probably sunk and all were heavily strafed. On June 3, another search plane sighted the disposition and made an attack which resulted in the sinking of one of the auxiliaries and severe damage to another.
Liberators of the 11th Army Air Force bombed Ketoi Island in the Kurils before dawn on June 4. No opposition was encountered. A single search plane of Fleet Air Wing Four bombed Paramushiru Island before dawn on June 4. All of our planes returned from these operations.