CAMPAIGN IN ITALY

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 November 1944, Page 5

CAMPAIGN IN ITALY

PATROL ACTIVITY. LONDON, November 6. With' an improvement in the weather, both the sth and Bth Armies in Italy have made local improvements in their forward positions. Patrols of both armies have been very active. Allied aircraft based in Italy yesterday made 2500 operational flights. They attacked targets in Austria and Jugoslavia, the Brender Pass, and shipping on both the'’'east and west coasts of Italy, in addition to objectives in the battle areas. Allied warships have been bombarding targets along the frontier of France and Italy in support of land operations. Germans taken prisoner south of Ravenna told the Exchange Telegraph Agency’s correspondent with the Bth Army that they were promised the Iron Cross (second class) and 30 days’ leave for every prisoner they took from the Bth Army. WEATHER IMPROVING

(Recd. 11.35) LONDON, Nov. 6. As a result of fine weather during the week-end the supply situation along the entire Eighth Army front in Italy shows signs of improvement. The better conditions have also made increased air support possible. In most instances flood waters have subsided below the level of the roads. Up to the present it has been possible to send only light supplies over the River Ronco to the advanced forces on the airfield south of Forh, where, despite determined opposition by tanks, mortars, and machine-guns, the Allies have.made a further advance of £5OO yards. The German commander is reported to have conscripted every man and woman in the district to help build a new defence line just before the Po River, which is interpreted as a sign that at least one more attempt will be made to hold the industrial north of Italy before events compel a German retreat to the mountains in the north. The enemy are now fighting for time and are resisting with greater desperation each day. The Exchange Telegraph Agency s Rome correspondent- reports that heavy bombers, for the third consecutive day, showered bombs on an important rail and power sub-station on the Brenner Pass line. Communication targets in the south of Austria and the north of Jugoslavia were also attacked, but the reports are not complete. Fighter-bombers raided transformer stations north of Verona and north of Trento.

FORLI CITY CONTAINED ■ f (Recd. 11.45 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 6. There are signs that the Allied Command has already adjusted its plans to meet the inevitable grim Winter campaign in Italy, says the British United Press correspondent at Allied Headquarters. Patriots have been warned in broadcasts from the Free Italian radio at Milan that they must for the time being remain on ‘he defensive. Reuter’s correspondent says that Forli, a cathedral city of 60,000 inhabitants, is now contained by the Allies from the north, east, and south, but that the battle for the aerodrame two miles west of the city, is still undecided. German tanks and mortars continue to pound the southern end if the airfield, where British infantry and armour are installed. The Irive up the Rimini-Bologna road is hus for the moment held up by, the persistence of the enemy’s resistance n the Forli area. AERIAL ACTIVITIES. ''Rec. 10 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 6. $ Tactical air forces which are S' oounding enemy communications in Northern Italy in improving wea- a her cut the Brenner Pass railway in » many places, says Reuter’s corres- ~ oondent at Allied Headquarters in'J .he Mediterranean. German troop g ■oncentrations in Jugoslavia and Al- » bania are'now under daily air attack. £ Berman fighters for the first time in y 1 fortnight came up in scores yester- h lay to attack strong forces of Libma tors and Fortresses attacking » nilitary installations in Vienna. x Fierce combats ensued; .. 5 ALBANIAN PATRIOTS "LONDON, Nov. 6. The greater part of Tirana, the apital of Albania, has been cleared 3f the enemy, according to reports Tom Albania quoted in a Jugoslav 'ommunique. Street fighting started n Tirana three days ago. Albanian latriot units now hold most of the town. ______________