GAINS IN ITALY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 217, 13 September 1944, Page 5

GAINS IN ITALY

FIFTH ARMY DEIVE

Positions Reached Well Into Gothic Line Defences

Rec. 10.30 a.m. LONDON, Sept. 12

Along almost the entire Italian front the Allied armies are now in contact with the Germans in the Gothic Line,' writes the Rome correspondent. On the whole Fifth Army front the gains made are important and the forward positions reached are well into the Gothic defences.

A bridgehead across the Sieve River has been established by the Indians, south of Vicchoi. Further west we are across the river in greater strength and are beyond San Lorenzo. About 14 miles north-east of Florence severe demolitions have been encountered. Our troops have also pushed on beyond Diccomano, important centre north of Pontassieve, where a number of bridges were blown up.

Our troops are forging ahead successfully north and north-east of Pistoia and have cleared Monte Murlo and Marlina. There the Fifth Army has forced its way over the Massa Ozzilea ridge, and reached a point more than three miles into the hills. Further west the Fifth Army is firmly established across the Sercliio River, three miles north of Lucca, and is continuing to drive to the north. Other bridgeheads have also been gained across the river, and some troops are already beyond Autostrada.

On the Eighth Army Adriatic front fighting is not on the same scale as last week, but patrols have been active and have made contact with the enemy in San Lorenzo, the last village before the Marano River. British troops are now firmly established west of Gammano and have launched an attack 011 Gardo. In bitter fighting they gained a foothold on high ground. Eighth Army forces who are through the Gothic Line on the Adriatic coast in Italy are still held up by strong natural defence positions the German command before Rimini.

American medium bombers yesterday attacked German troops manning the Gothic Line north of Florence. They sent down big loads of anti-personnel' bombs soon after American patrols of the Fifth Army had got to within three miles of the Gothic Line in this area.