NEW ZEALANDERS’ ADVANCE

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 4, 29 September 1944, Page 5

NEW ZEALANDERS’ ADVANCE

Fanatical Defence Met (Official War Correspondent. N.Z.E.F.) VISERBA, September 2a. Continuing their advance, along the Adriatic coastal sector, the New Zealanders this morning entered the little crossroads village of Bordonchio, 12 kilometres north-west of Rimini, on Highway 16. Yesterday progress was difficult owing to a fanatical defence by paratroopers in country which lends itself to their type of delaying action. Our troops approached the line of the Fortunaccio River, taking scores of prisoners in the process, but were halted by intense, Spandau fire. Forward elements received heavy concentrations of mortar fire. Last night our artillery laid down one of the heaviest barrages fired on this front. Behind it came the New Zealand infantry. Resistance, which was light at . first, strengthened as the advance continued. Our infantry pressed on over the Fortunaccio across broken ground and through the almost dry bed of the Pircio. Like Fighting Through City. A Wellington battalion continued to its objective astride the highway, but fighting on the coast road was extremely bitter. Here the Germans have many houses, and the advance is practically as though the troops were fighting their way through a city. In addition, the Germans laid down most of their artillery on the coast, expecting the main drive there. As a result, our coastal formation could make very little progress. This morning the central formation pushed ou to reach its objective on the road between Bordouchio and the sea. This left the enemy on our right flank almost completely enclosed in a box bordered by the sea, the railway line, and the New Zealanders. He was finally squeezed out by a right hook directed from Highway 16, and at noon our troops were firmly established on their objectives after an advance of 3000 ■ yards, They had taken about 50 prisoners.

ENEMY RESISTS ON MOUNTAIN

Progress On Peleliu ■. (Received September 28, 10.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, September 27. Further gains by the First Marine Division and elements of the 81st Infantry Division has brought the entire island of Peleliu under our control, with the exception of the Umorbrogal Mountain and a small pocket in the northeastern tip, says a Pacific Fleet communique. The marines attacking in the northern sector and army troops in the centre of the western arm made rapid progress during yesterday. Two enemy aircraft dropped bombs in the water east of Angaur Island on Monday night. On the same night the remaining enemy troops on Angaur failed in an attempt to infiltrate our lines. Our troops have counted 1517 enemy dead on Peleliu and 1020 on Angaur. Enemy Air Challenge. A Sydney message says Liberator formations have maintained a relentless aerial assault against Japanese bases in the Celebes. On Monday they encountered the first determined enemy air resistance for some weeks. During this time more than 2500 tons of Allied bombs have destroyed much shipping and devastated supply areas. To meet the latest attack the Japanese sent up nine interceptors, two of which were shot down for the loss of one escorting Lightning. The Liberators completed their bombing mission, sinking two 1000-ton freighters, destroying parked aircraft, and damaging airfields. Later a single Qatalina bombed a 30()0-ton petrol ship which exploded and sank. Other Catalinas in the Philippines set fire to five laden barges in Davao Gulf and . damaged two others near Zamboanga. Allied patrol torpedo-boats blockading Halmahera Island also destroyed five barges. About 20 small craft were destroyed or damaged by R.A.A.F. Beaufighters and Kittyhawks sweeping the Ceram coast.