ADVANCES IN ITALY

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 October 1944, Page 5

ADVANCES IN ITALY

“BIG FORWARD STRIDE”

EIGHTH ARMY CROSS RIVER LONDON, October 25. General Alexander’s armies, tonight, are eight miles from Bologna, four miles from the Rimini-Bologna Road at Castel San Pietro, and six miles from Forli, says Reuter’s correspondent at Allied Headquarters in Italy. , British troops of the Eighth Army,’ after prising the Germans from their positions on the west bank of the Savio River, now have them on the run for the next river line, the Beavano, which is four miles north of the Savio. The Germans are retreating in some confusion and the fighting for the Beavano crossing has already begun. The Canadians in the bridgehead two miles north of Cesena who, like the British, ferried supplies, including self-propelled guns, across the Savio under German fire, have driven forward another mile. There is every prospect of the two bridgeheads joining up to give the Eighth Army a single new front on the Beavano River, LATER. Troops of the Bth Army in Italy have made a big forward stride from Cesena, and have crossed the next river, the Beavano, at one point. The enemy is withdrawing on this sector, and our patrols are within five miles of Forli. “General Alexander’s armies tonight (Wednesday) are eight miles from Bologna, four miles from the Rimini-Bologna road at Castel San Pietro, and six miles from Forli,” says Reuter’s correspondent- at Allied Headquarters. “British troops of the Bth Army, after prising the Germans from their positions on the west bank of the Savio River, now have on the run for the next river line—the Beavano, which is four miles north of the Savio. The Germans are retreating in some confusion and fighting for the Beavano crossing has ; already begun. Canadians in the Savio bridgehead two miles north of Cesena have driven forward another mile and there is every prospect of the two bridgeheads joining up to give the Bth Army a single new front on the Beavano River.” DOGS OF WAR. (Rec. noon) LONDON, Oct. 26. It had been expected the Germans would at least try to make a stand on the line of the River Bevano, over which the Bth Army has swept. German resistance in this sector is definitely showing signs of collapsing, but there are many difficult river barriers before our troops. The enemy may be draining forces from this part of the front in order to strengthen resistance before Bologna, which the sth Army now gravely threatens.

The “Daily Telegraph’s” correspondent with the Bth Army says: The Germans in a desperate attempt to harry our advance resumed the use of police dogs, which are trained to attack our patrols. One dog so far has been killed, one wounded and 30 captured.

ITALY’S REVIVED STATUS

LONDON, Oct. 25

Direct relations between the British and Italian governments have been re-established. The personal rank of Ambassador has been conferred upon Sir Noel Charles, United Kingdom High Commissioner in Rome, and the British ajgree to accept Count Caradini as Italian representative in London. A Washington message says that the United States has extended lull diplomatic recognition to Italy. This action was taken after consultation with Britain, Russia, and the other American republics except Argentina Mr. Roosevelt has nominated IVU-. Alexander Kirk, American, representative on the Allied Advisory Council m Rome, as United States Ambassador to Italy. Count Sforza is reported to have been named as Italian Ambassador to Washington.