MOPPING I GERMANS AT GREAT SPEED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 101, 1 May 1945, Page 5

MOPPING I GERMANS AT GREAT SPEED

TURIN CAPTURED Rapid Liberation As Armies Sweep On Rec. 1 p.m. RUGBY, April 30. Turin has been captured by American-born Japanese troops, according to a correspondent at Allied Headquarters in Italy. Americans and South Africans have also taken Treviso, north of Venice, and are heading for the city of Undine. The First American Armoured Division has captured von Behr, commander of the German Ninetieth Panzer Grenadier Division, and his staff. The New Zealanders have crossed the River Piave, and other troops are advancing rapidly beyond Treviso, according to a correspondent. Armoured columns, thrusting beyond Milan, have seized a crossing over the River Ticino. The First Armoured Division has captured more than 12,000 prisoners in the past 24 hours. • The final stages of the mopping up of enemy resistance in Italy is proceeding at great speed. Among the messages received in London is one stating that the British liaison officer with the Partisans in Turin called upon the commander of the German Fifth Mountain Division to surrender with his 5000 men. The Germans demanded free passage through Turin, but this was refused, and the German commander threatened to fight his way through. The British liaison teams have received a tremendous reception in Asti, and the arrival of Allied troops is eagerly awaited. Of 1000 Republic prisoners in the town eight were tried and condemned and live were publicly shot. The whole of the valley between Chatillon and the French frontier is liberated. At Vercelli the British liaison officer has. seen the Wehrmacht and S.S. commanders, who have promised unconditional surrender on the arrival of the Allied troops, and have handed over 12 tanks as a token.

Luneo was liberated by the Partisans after three days of grim struggle. At Venice the harbour installations are intact, and the port pilots are ready to act as guides. An agreement has been reached between the German Command and the Liberation Committee that no destruction of Italian warships is to be carried out. The Italian ships are the Vulcania Gradisca and two motor tankers. Plans of mined areas are to be handed over. The situation has been exploited by the Partisans in many towns, including Tarcento and Gemona, which have been occupied. At Genoa the Partisans are now cooperating with the Allied troops in road repairs. The transport of grain is being organised by train and open cart. The Allied military commander expressed great satisfaction with the work and general state of public order and administration. At Albenga everything is quiet. The light and water services, the banks and public .utilities are functioning' in; the whole "zone. 'At Milan Partisan - bands have arrived to strengthen the Liberation Committee. The trams are running and the public services are normal. Enough food exists for six days only. The Partisans are nowrunning trains from Piacenza to Genoa, and it is hoped to run the first train of grain to-day..