GERMAN ATTACKS IN ITALY

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 81, 30 December 1944, Page 8

GERMAN ATTACKS IN ITALY

Slackening Off Reported Nazi Withdrawal On Senio Front

LONDON, -December 29.. The German attacks in the Serchio River Valley, on the Fifth Army front in Italy, have slackened off. It was earlier stated that the Americans in this sector had had to make further withdrawals in thejface of a determined enemy drive supported by medium and light artillery on a seven-mile front. The Americans had to give up the town of Barga, 14 miles north of Lucca, which they captured a month ago. On the Eighth Army front the Germans have pulled back behind the Senio, as they have pulled back across every river so far, and have added to the natural obstacles by mining the 10-foot high banks and the approaches. Just now the Senio is only three feet deep, but if the frost breaks melted snow might turn it into a torrent in 24 hours. In just under two months the Eighth Army has passed 13 rivers, and the Senio crossing seems likely to be easier than the last one, the Lamone. The Allied front along the river now runs for about 25 miles, broken by the two-niile German pocket near Faenza. This pocket is being cleaned up. Eighth Army forces have reached the outskirts of Alfonsine, on the Senio. The countryside here is a mass of ice, and movement is very difficult, but an advance of almost two miles was made.