SUCCESSES IN ITALY

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 June 1944, Page 5

SUCCESSES IN ITALY

MORE TOWNSCAPTURED GERMANS DISORGANISED LONDON, June 14.The advance of the Allied forces on. the Adriatic sector in Italy is continuing and the gains made are being consolidated, states a report H’om Allied Headquarters. West ol the Hbti our troops have made progress on both sides of Lake Bolsano and in the Orvieto area. . , ‘ To-day’s communique from ftaiy states: The Allied advance continues in the Adriatic sector. Our gams up to the Pescara River have been consolidated. Allied forces north Ox Rome are closing in on Narm and also Bagnoigio, where hard fighting occurred “in the last two days. Gains were also made east and west of Lak<Bolsena. The Allies on the coastal sector having encountered stiff resistance south of Orbetello, developed their strength in the mountains to the northward. Our forces late on Monday cut the junctions of Highways One and Seventy-four. Allied reconnaissance elements are moving further north. ~„ ~ The “Exchange Telegraph’s Algiers correspondent says that the Eighth Army advance west, of the Tiber has reached nearly 60 miles beyond Rome, with the South Africans in the vanguard. Fifth Army forces in the coastal sector moved forward through the mountains to take control of Highway Seventyi four. Other Fifth Army troops capI tured the town of Lateia on the west I shore of Lake Bolsena and advanced towards Gradoli. Highway Seventyfour is the lateral road from Orvieto to the coast, meeting Highway One at Albinin, which is a small part 20 miles south of Grosseto. tuscany entered. . (Rec. 11.20 a.m.) LONDON, June 14. Marshal Kesselring is withdrawing in the face of the sth and Bth Armies’ persistent pressure. The Algiers radio reports that sth Army forces have entered the valley of Albenia in Tuscany and, after breaking the anchor of the German defences on the Tyrrhenian coast, have advanced to within 18 miles of Grosseto, which is an important hub in Central Italy’s highway network. The German News Agency’s commentator, Praegner, said that the enemy, yesterday, went over to a large-scale offensive between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the western short of Lake Bolsena, delivering the main punch in the MoncianoPitigliano sector. The Americans, after grim fighting, breached the defences' at a number of points but were unable to exploit this success . owing to heavy tank losses. The ' German lines on the east side of the lake . have been withdrawn several miles.

Brigadier-General Saville. Commander of the 12th Tactical Air Force, stated that the ferocious airattacks of the past few months have knocked out over 3000 trucks, and the enemy’s communications in Italy are so badly disrupted that the entire command system has broken down. Enemy generals have found themselves “talking to themselves.” Some units were told to “stand or die,” while their neighbours retreated hurriedly. The Germans’ morale and organisation since the Rome break-through have been completely broken.

NAVAL ACTIVITY

LONDON, June 14. Further naval activity is reported in the Adriatic. British light naval forces on the night of June 10 shelled Lussinpiccolo Harbour. The return fire from the shore was ineffectual. British destroyers operating off the. Dalmatian coast on the night of June 11 engaged four E-boats and sank one. The other E-boat tied at high speed. AERIAL OPERATIONS LONDON, June 14. Allied Air 'Forces carried out 2000' sorties yesterday, shipping being attacked in tlie harbour of Leghorn and along the coast of central and northern Italy. Twenty enemy aircraft were destroyed and 28 of our planes are missing.

FREYBERG’S SON

LONDON, June 14

Paul Freybcrg,' son of General iT'reyberg, was among 18 Allied war prisoners who took refuge in lhe Vatican City and who were able Lo leave when the Allies captured Rome. Paul Freybcrg got into the Vatican City by hiding on a lorry among packing cases destined for the city. He passed German guards outside and Papal guards inside. The prisoners who took refuge in the Vatican City consisted of two U.S.A.A.F. sergeants, one Australian. 11 British soldiers, one ol whom was exchanged before the Alfies took Rome, and also two Poles and two Canadians. Only prisoners who were not discovered until they were already in the Vatican territory were allowed to remain there.