HUNS TORN TO

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 101, 1 May 1945, Page 6

HUNS TORN TO

120,§00 Prisoners

GENERAL CLARK SAYS ENEMY'S POWER GONE

X.Z.P.A. and B.O.W.—Copyright—Rec. 1 p.m

LONDON, April 30

The enemy's military power in Italy has practically ceased, Genera] Mark Clark, Allied commander in Italy, said to-day. Twenty-five divisions, some of the best in the German Army, have been torn to pieces and can no longer resist effectively. The total of prisoners is now more than 120,000.

Scattered fighting may continue as the remnants of the German armies are mopped up, but the 15th Army Group has so destroyed the German armies in Italy that they are virtually eliminated as a military force. All this has been achieved in a 22 days' offensive.

There are no longer any major objectives to be taken before final victory in Italy. All the objectives of any importance are already in Allied hands. This has been done with relatively little destruction of what was left of North Italian industries.

The Associated Press Rome correspondent says that General Clark's statement virtually writes finis to the long and bloody campaign in Italy.

Fifth Army mountaineers are encountering stiff resistance north of Lake Garda, running into German rearguards who are fighting desperately to hold open the Brenner Pass.

Correspondents report that while the Fifth and Eighth Armies systematically round up isolated pockets, the Fifteenth Air Force is relentlessly hammering \the Germans attempting to take refuge in the foothills and also to flee to the north-eastern tip of Italy.

Many German formations are surrendering in bodies. The German garrison at Chioggia and another battalion west of the Venetian lagoon yesterday surrendered without a fight.

Eighth Army troops pressed on 25 miles after breaking through delaying positions on the Brenta River.

According to Hamburg radio French troops have penetrated the western Po Valley and joined up with the British.

Disorganisation of the German forces on the Fifth Army front continues, states the Allied communique from Italy. The Eighth Army is consolidating its positions along the Piave River. Other elements have joined up with the Partisans in Venice and completed the occupation of the city.

Our forces advancing north of Genoa occupied Alessandria after light resistance. They secured the Genoa-Alessandria highway.

The Yugoslav communique reports that heavy fighting continues in Fiume.

Marshal Tito, in an Order of the Day, announces that after seven days' fighting his Yugoslav troops have stormed across the former Yugoslav-Italian frontier on a 38-mile front and have broken into Trieste, where fierce fighting is in progress.