INSURRECTION

Evening Star, Issue 25469, 27 April 1945, Page 5

INSURRECTION

Italian Patriots Strike Power Seized in North Genoa and Milan Liberated Pi-ess Association—By Telegraph—Copyright (Eec. noon.) LONDON, April 26. Broadcasts from Genoa and Milan report that the patriots have risen in the heart of the industrial Germanheld territory, says Renter's Rome correspondent. Reports indicate that a large-scale insurrection against the Germans is under way. Genoa radio detailed the German garrison's surrender to the partisans, and said the surrender was made yesJLerday evening, to be effective as from 9 a.m. to-day. The surrender document reserved to the partisans the right to hand over German army and naval prisoners to the Allied authorities in Italy. The Swiss radio said the partisans have liberated Milan and Turin and occupied Como. They took over the frontier posts in the Chiasso district. Rome radio comments that the collapse of the German occupying force in Northern Italy ends any plan to use- the area as a. source of war supplies for a last-ditch stand in Southern Germany. Although there is no official confirmation of these reports welMnformed quarters in London do not discredit them. It is pointed out that the German armies have practically no escape routes left either east or north, and it would not be surprising if entire disorganisation has set in.

(ltec, 12.5 p.m.) RUGBY, Aprir26. The position in Northern Italy_ as gathered from broadcasts from stations in Genoa and Milan seems to be as follows, states a Rome message. The local Committee of National Liberation has seized power in Genoa and Milan. The committee is issuing permits for citizens to circulate after the curfew, and a special branch of the committee is already controlling prices and supplies. In No vara an insurrection against the Germans has begun and is spreading rapidly.

The following localities are stated to be controlled by patriots:—Novara, Varese, Gallarate, Legnago, Busto Arsizio. Desio, Castel Lanza, and the alpine valleys of Ossola and Valesia. From the Alps bands of patriots are descending to the Po plains to free towns still occupied by the Germans, whose road lines are being attacked. Italian partisans announced over Genoa radio this afternoon that they have also seized Como, where they claim to be in complete control.