SAN MARINO SHELLED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 218, 14 September 1944, Page 6

SAN MARINO SHELLED

World's Smallest Republic Caught In Net Of War TINY STATE NEAR RIMINI Rec. 2.30 p.m. LONDON, Sept. 13. The -world's smallest republic, San Marino, which also claims to be the oldest State in Europe, had its first experience of Allied shelling yesterday when Indian artillery opened up in answer to German fire from the State boundaries, which flank the Coriano Ridge .and extend to within five miles of Rimini, says Reuters correspondent with the Indians in Italy. The Germans respected the neutrality of the State as long as it suited them. Field-Marshal Kesselring demanded the use of San Marino roads "merely for supply and for; staff work," and the State was forced; to accede to the German wishes. San Marino, with an Army of only 68,! could not offer resistance. The influx of refugees after the Eighth Army's attack against the Gothic Line has increased the population of San Marino from 14>000 to about 120,000. The British United Press coiTespondent ■with the Eighth Army reported last week that the tiny republic of San Marino, in the path of the advancing Eighth Army in Italy, had redeclared its strict neu trality and manned its border defences.