ENEMY IN ITALY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 23, 27 July 1944, Page 5

ENEMY IN ITALY

N.Z. TROOPS APPROACHING FLORENCE (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright.) Rec. 10.10 a.m. LONDON, July 26. NeAV Zealand troops are approaching Florence along the main road from Poggibonsi and are noiv tAvo miles south-west of San Casciano, says the Exchange Telegraph Agency's correspondent in Italy. They are on a road which is less enclosed and better adapted for the use of tanks than on most parts of the front. The Germans have been forced to make reluctant withdraAvals along the line and our tanks and infantry are pressing them hard at many places in this sector. The New Zealanders are astride the Poggibonsi-Florence road, and Avest of it are fighting against German paratroops in a sector previously held by tlie Fifth Army. The New Zealanders are noAV eight miles from Florence. Their arrival on this sector Avas made under the greatest secrecy. They have even been divested of the NeAV Zealand flash and cap badge. This is their first appearance in Italy since the capture of Monte Liganano, a key point in the drive to Arezzo, on June 15. After their arrival in the Poggibonsi area they delivered a left hook to the Germans, a punch for Avhich the Eighth Army was so famous in the desert days. The German news agency commentator, Praegner, reported that largescale British and American attacks started south of Florence. The main

thrusts, he said. Avere directed along two roads from Poggibonsi and Monte Varchi. The Germans disengaged themselves and moved .northward after very bitter fighting. Praegner later stated that the British had started a new major attack in the Adriatic coastal', sector, and added that there were no details so far about the course of the fighting. Reuter's correspondent at Allied headquarters in Italy says that the Germans continue to shell that part of Pisa Avhich lies south of the Arno River and are turning on mortar fire against likely points for crossings of the river. In the Apennines between Arezzo and the Adriatic the Allies have made gains near San Sepolcro, 10 miles above Citta di Castello, The toAvn of Leville. Avest of Monterchi, ivhich is 12 miles east of Arezzo, has been cleared of the enemy. A prisoner, explaining the Germans' stubborn resistance against the advance of the Eighth Army's left flank, said. "We German soldiers have been told that the British are so furious at the effect of the flying bombs over England that they would shoot any German prisoner immediately. "Eighth Army troops, on a front of 30 miles, south of Florence, again made substantial gains, particularly west of the Poggibonsi-Florence road, where advanced elements are approaching San Casciano," states today's Allied communique from Italy. "The enemy west of the Arezzo-Pon-tassieve road Avas forced to withdraw from further positions. We made gains of upwards of three miles. The Allies pierced one enemy line of resistance six miles north-east of Arezzo. Local gains were made in the area south of San Sepolcro. The position of the Poles of the Eighth Army in the Adriatic has not materially changed. Activity in the Fifth Army sector was confined to patrols and heavy artillery exchanges."