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Evening Star, Issue 25225, 12 July 1944, Page 5

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STEADY SLOGGING AGAIN BATTLE OF NORTH ITALY GERMANS NOW REORGANISED (Rec. 11.40 a.m.) LONDON, July 11, Three of the Fifth Army spearheads are battling a way towards the Gothic Line, and despite strong resistance they are, at the nearest point, little more than 10 miles from the main Pisa-Florence highway. Reuter's correspondent at Allied headquarters says that German resistance is stiffening in the new bid to hold off the Fifth Army from the big prize of Leghorn. In addition to trying to protect the port ; they are attempting to impose thn maximum delay against the Fifth Army drive to Arno—tha outer barrier of the Gothic Line. The Germans are clinging to key features of the terrain, and are massing machine guns, mortars, and 6mall arms for the defence of critical areas. They are also using more artillery and self-propelled guns, and strewing mines and demolitions everywhere. The Eighth Army has made new penetrations north-west of Siena, while Polish troops in the Adriatic sector are tightening the ring around Ancona. The Exchange Telegraph correspondent reports that the Fifth Army bypassed Lajatico, seven miles north-west of Volterra. An explanation of the slowing down of the Allied advance is given by the correspondent of ' The Times ' at Allied headquarters. He points out that progress is achievable only stage by stage in hilly country where the Germans hold all the advantages. Time is required for "bridge repairs, for reconditioning roads, and for "bringing up supplies. AMERICANS AND BY-PASSING STRATEGY. " Operations have again reached a phase of steady slogging," he says. " The Americans have developed most successfully the tactics of by-passing German strongpoints. As a result of the capture of Volterra without the necessity of storming it the Americans are now six miles beyond." The ' Dpily Express ' correspondent at Allied headquarters says that there was a time when the Allies thought .they might kick through the German defences in a stride, but it now appears they will have to batter them down against a lot of weight. " Nothing has gone -wrong with us," he states. " The Germans have employed their reorganising ability, which is undoubtedly first class. The Germans, too, have the advantage of falling back on ammunition dumps south of Florence. Their artillery fire is increasing, 'because they have more shells to fire. This means it is tricky to move at all in daylight." Correspondents emphasise the strength of the concrete defences against possible coastal landings behind the present front. The ' Daily Mail's ' correspondent says: " Todt workers and conscripted labourers have just finished the last stretches of these walls along many miles of flat beach and meadowland north and south of the Arno Estuary. It is believed that there are similar defences along the west coast of Italy. These walls in some places are estimated to be 10 feet high and many feet thick." LOCAL GAINS. A stubborn battle in Italy continues, says to-day's Allied communique from General Alexander's headquarters. Allied armies kept up their attacks. The enemy counter-attacked in some sectors. Fifth Army troops, however, are making steady progress north-west of Volterra, whero their advanced elements are in the vicinity of Lajatico, seven miles north-west of Volterra. Eighth Army forces held firmly against counter-attacks south of Arezzo, and made local gains along their front. Little change occurred in the Adriatic Medium bombers and heavy bombers last night attacked railway yards at Milan. Medium bombers m daylight yesterday attacked railway yards and viaducts in Northern Italy. Fighterbombers, in addition to giving close support to forward troops, attacked enemy railway and road communications north of the battle area. There ■was no heavy bomber operation in daylight. No pWes were lost in the daylight operations; one is missing from the night's operations. The Mediterranean Air Force flew nearly 800 sorties.