FIGHTING IN ITALY

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24501, 26 February 1945, Page 4

FIGHTING IN ITALY

GAINS BY AMERICAN TROOPS (N.2. Press Association—Copyright)

(Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 24. American sth Army, troops have gained more commanding 'ground round Mouftt Belvedere and have completed the capture of the 3000 ft Mount Della Torraccia, according to Agency correspondents in Italy. The Germans, who made strenuous effort’s to regain Mount Belvedere, marched some troops six days and then loaded them Into trucks for the final dash to the front. The Americans, after overcoming bitter resistance on the peak, repelled several counter-attacks and -secured further commanding terrain in’ the area. Good observation from the new positions enabled the artillery and air forces to strike enemy concentrations in support of the ground operations. Italian partisans operating under American command, seized Rocc.a Corneta, one mile and a half east of Mount Belvedere.

It is officially announced that a new contingent of Brazilians bps landed in Italy. American troops of the sth Army h&ve broken through elaborate trench systems in the Apennine mountain peaks overlooking the watering place of Porrettaterme, 28 miles south-west of Bologna on the Pistoia-Bologna road, according to agency correspondentSi The clearing of the Apennine peaks In the upper Reno valley deprives the Germans of 'observation points. Reuter’s correspondent considers that this success will facilitate Allied traffic through the valley. “It is now a penny tram ride to perhaps the strangest battlq of the war. which is being fought in the mountains north of the recaptured 3700 ft high, Mcunt Belvedere on the svh - Army’s front,” says the correspondent of the “Daily Express’’ at Allied Headquarters. "A cable tramway to the mountain top ascends 1350 feet in a complete run of not more than 1800 feet. “We are evacuating some of our mountain-top casualties in this. tram. It is the only feasible route for the wounded in terrain where the snow has melted and is turning tracks into a bogland by day and glaciers by night.” -