BATTLE RISES TO MIGHTY CRESCENDO

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 215, 11 September 1944, Page 6

BATTLE RISES TO MIGHTY CRESCENDO

FIGHTING /lV ITALY Allies' Last Obstacles Before Po Yalley X.Z.P.A. and British Wireless Rec. 2.30 p.m. LONDON, Sept. 10. Some of the fiercest fighting in Europe is raging for the Coriano and San Savino Ridges, on the Adriatic, reports Reuters correspondent at Allied Headquarters in Italy. The fighting has risen to a tremendous crescendo because these two ridges are the last that remain before our armour is able to fan out to the Po Valley, which is the object of the great Adriatic offensive. The Daily Express correspondent says: "For a week we have been battling for one and then another of the four hillside villages on the Coriano Ridge, all of which have been turned into citadels with each protecting the other in a series of steps. There has been and still is bloody fighting raging on these slopes. Allied troops, under lashing rain since yesterday morning, have successfully resisted a new series of incessant counter-attacks. We already hold half of the first ridge." s Big Gains Near Florence Heavy rain and mud continue to hamper the Eighth Army's operations in the Adriatic sector, says the Exchange Telegraph Company correspondent in Rome. Stiff fighting continues with frequent enemy counter-attacks and shelling. A strong German counter-attack, launched in the Croee sector yesterday morning, is still going on. To-day's Allied communique states that heavy fighting continues in the Adriatic, where the Eighth Army has again made progress in the high ground, where it captured the village of Germano, which was the scene of heavy fighting last week. Indian troops of the Eighth Army, in the high ground between the Upper Arno and Tiber Valleys, have captured several important features. Big advances have been made ndrth of Florence and the important features of Monte Giovo, Monte Caroso and Monte Calvana have been occupied. The British, in this sector, for the first time overlook the Upper Sieve Valley, west of Florence. American patrols are active north of Florence on the Prato-Pisa arterial road, which is now entirely in our hands. The village of Croce, the centre of much recent fighting, is now in our hands, says an Allied communique. Progress continues in the mountainout country to the left of this sector. Near Florence the British have made important advances into the high ground north of the city. Two key features, Monte Senario and Monte Morello, which overlook Florence, have been occupied. West of Florence patrols of the Fifth Army continue to make progress. Lucca is firmly in our hands.