EIGHTH ARMY TROOPS CONTINUE ADVANCE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 290, 7 December 1944, Page 5

EIGHTH ARMY TROOPS CONTINUE ADVANCE

ON FROM RAVENNA Recent Captures Serious For Enemy N.Z. Press Association—Copyright Rec. 1.30 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 6. Eighth Army troops, continuing their push north-west after the capture of Ravenna, have reached the Lamone River at Mezzano, six miles north-west of the city on Route 16, where they at first succeeded in crossing the river but were driven back to the east bank by tanks. The Lamone River in this area is 45 feet wide and six feet deep, with banks 50 feet high.

Other troops pushing on northwest of Ravenna reached the canal. This was an advance of about two and a half miles. The enemy's withdrawal is disorganised, but our troops are handicapped by dense fog.

A big attack was launched across the railway north of Russi, about nine miles north-east of Faenza, and later our forces squared up to the Lamone River on both sides of the Russi-Bagnacavallo railway.

The initial attempt to cross the river was prevented by heavy shell and machine-gun, fire. Faenza is being endangered by our two punches in the north and south.

The enemy suffered heavy losses in the present fighting although the Air Force could not give close support to our troops owing to bad weather. About 100 prisoners were taken. Importance of Ravenna The loss of Ravenna is a serious blow to the German supply lines and a great gain to us, as this inland port is connected vUh the Adriatic by six miles of canal. The enemy now has to rely on- damaged railway and road communications to supply the forces trying to hold off our advance. Eighth Army forces, who have driven across the Lamone River, south of Faenza and established a wide bridgehead, have also gained a foothold in the hills beyond the river and captured several features, says the Exchange Telegraph Rome correspondent. Other forces have cleared the whole of the GodoRavenna road and occupied San Michele. Paingipane, nearly two miles to the north-west of San Michele, was also captured.