ALEXANDER MS ITALIAN PATRIOTS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 100, 30 April 1945, Page 6

ALEXANDER MS ITALIAN PATRIOTS

FIGHT NOT YET OVER Position In Piedmont And Lombardy N.Z.P.A. and British Wireless Rec. 1 p.m. LONDON, April 29. Field-Marshal Alexander, in instructions to the patriots in Piedmont and Lombardy, broadcast by Rome radio, denied that the fighting in those provinces had ended. He added that there was still a serious menace in the Fifth German Alpine Division, west of Turin, and the 41st Division in Alexandria area, in the centre of the city, has not yet surrendered. Field-Marshal Alexander appealed to the patriots to attack those units, weaken and block them and so help the Allies. "You must do this so cs not to delay final victory," he added. The King has sent the following message to Field-Marshal Alexander: "To you and all under your command, I send my heartfelt congratu-

lations on the overwhelming victory by which you are bringing to so triumphant an end your long and arduous campaign in Italy." Swiss radio says the Americans have occupied Como. A report that Allied troops had taken the great part of Venice, leading city of the Adriatic, was broadcast to-night by the Alliedcontrolled Rome radio. Earlier reports were that Venice was closely threatened by the Eighth Army. Conditions at Genoa

The story of how Italian Partisans freed Genoa is now given. On Monday morning the German commander, Major-General Neinholt, requested Bishop Siri that the Church authorities should guarantee no molestation by the Partisans for four days while the Germans evacuated Genoa. The Partisans refused and began to attack the German garrison. The next morning Neinholt informed the Partisans that if the attacks on the retreating troops continued he would shell the city. The Partisans answered by redoubling their attacks, and by evening the whole of Genoa, except a few buildings, was in patriot hands. On Wednesday morning Neinholt surrendered unconditionally.

A Mediterranean naval communique says that an advanced naval party reached Genoa on Friday evening and found the inner harbour and sea approaches heavily mined. Many jetties were undamaged and cranes and gantries were still standing. The port is now being surveyed preparatory to opening, and minesweepers are engaged in clearing the channels from Viareg£io to the Gulf of Spezia and Genoa. .

The Exchange Telegraph Rome correspondent says that messages received from Milan state that the city and province have been without bread for the past 24 hours. Milan radio broadcast an appeal to the Allies for immediate aid.