MORE GAINS IN ITALY

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 December 1944, Page 6

MORE GAINS IN ITALY

GERMAN WITHDRAWALS

NEW ZEALANDERS IN ACTION LONDON, December 26.

Canadian troops of the Bth Army in Italy have again advanced near the Adriatic coast and have occupied a small town beyond Ravenna. On the greater part of the front Winter conditions and heavy falls of snow have confined activity to patrols. The Germans, however, speak of heavy fighting. The German News Agency has announced that German positions north-east of Faenza have been withdrawn at. several points as as result of a heavy engagement with British forces on Christmas Day.

Canadian troops of the Eighth Army north-west of Ravenna, occupied Rossetta, and they are within two miles of Alfonsine, reports an Allied communique from Italy. North of Faenza all the enemy resistance east of the Canal Evaglio has virtually ended. Activity on the Fifth Army front has been confined to patrols. NEW ZEALANDERS’ ORDEAL RUGBY, December 26. The Bth Army is now up to the Senio River on a 19-miles front, except for a two-mile German salient between the river and Naviglio, about three miles north- of Faenza, writes a Rome correspondent. The battle lor Castel Bolognese on Route 9 is rapidly approaching a climax. The New Zealanders are now within a mile of this town which is blocking the way to Imola. A New Zealand fighting patrol on Monday night pushed across the Senio northwards from Route 9, and reached objectives just this side of the Castel Bolognese, when they ran out of ammunition. When the enemy counterattacked they could not fight back, and, after sustaining casualties had to withdraw. Due to the snowfall causing a rapid rise of the river supplies could not be brought across. One of a group >of New Zealanders who did get back dived into the river which was full of ice and debris, and he remained underwater while the 1 area was raked with machinegun fire. By sticking only his nose out when needing air he succeeded in floating underwater for about a mile downstream, where he managed to reach the east bank. On the sth Army front-Christmas Day was quiet. Except in the coastal sector the front lines were covered with snow ranging from three to eight inches in depth, with temperatures well below freezing point.

Patrol activity was continued on the right sector and the enemy in Tossignana reacted strongly to' our patrols. On the central sector our patrols actively engaged the enemy at several points. AERIAL OFFENSIVE. RUGBY, December 26. Medium forces of heavy bombers, with escort, attacked an oil refinery at. Brux, Czechoslovakia, and a number of railway yards in .Austria on Monday, states a communique. Heavy and medium bombers flew supply missions to Jugoslavia. Light bombers and Intruders of the Tactical Air Force on Sunday night attacked enemy supply lines in the north of Italy. Medium bombers carried out successful -attacks on the Treviso railway yards in North-east Italy, i/ighier and fighter-bombers concentrated against enemy communications in the Po Valley and immediately behind the battle areas, as well as giving close support to the ground forces. The Balkan Air Force attacked enemy road transport in Jugoslavia, whilst coastal units attacked railway transport in North-east Italy. ’ Four enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground and 17 of our planes are missing from more than 1600 sorties. WITH THE N.Z.’ERS. [N.Z.E.F. Official War Correspondent] DIVISIONAL HEADQUARTERS, December 24. Snow fell to-day. After comparatively mild weather, ' a cold snap brought intermittent light falls during the day, leaving the countryside white by the evening. Thus while the folk at home were preparing to celebrate Christmas in the warmth of midsummer, the New Zealand troops kept watch in the icy fields which they have wrested from the Germans, some plodding cautiously through the slush and mud on patrol, others gathered round improvised heaters in battered cases which were strongpoints in the recent fighting. In spite of the cold and rough conditions, the spirit of Christmas permeates the division to-day. Foraging parties have purchased poultry to add to the specical supplies issued for Christmas dinner, and the cooks are making special efforts to help to ensure that Christmas will bo celebrated in the old New Zealand style. For the last few days the New' Zealand sector has been comparatively quiet. On each side, the shelling of bases and patrolling go on continually. The grim nature of this work was shown by the experience of one patrol. Coining under mortar fire, they took cover in a ditch. As they left the ditch, one man stepped on a mine and was badly wounded. Before he was carried to safety, one other was killed and two wounded through stepping on two other mines.

SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES WELLINGTON, December 27. Discomfort arising from difficult conditions experienced by the New Zealand Division in the mud and wet of Po Valley, beyond Rimini, has been shared by the staff maintaining patriotic Welfare Services, according to the latest report, from Brigadier Falconer, National Patriotic Fund Board Commissioner. Towards the end of October, the division was withdrawn from the battle area for a rest, and he had the opportunity of seeing something during the early days in November of the organisation established to cater for the troops. Theatres were taken over in towns where such amenities existed, and buildings were requisitioned for recreational purposes. Every effort was made to cope with the. demand for entertainment, etc. Brigadier Falconer mentions that .he saw an entertainment by the Kiwi Concert Party, the second one of the day, and it was received vociferously by a packed house. Shows by other flesh-and-blood parties were also provided, and pictures were fre-‘ quently screened, all without cost to the troops. In one town an exhibition of art by the 2nd N.Z.E.F. was on display. It attracted much notice, as well as favourable comment. Brigadier Falconer also states' that the hostels at Alexandria and Ricciene con - tinue to give homely service, and are described in most favourable terms by those enjoying their hospitality. The value of free distributions in the battle area of canteen goods: also the tea service for men of the Division for the six months ended September 30 was £19,365. In addition large quantities of goods were made available from an advance store for sale in the canteens. When the Division came out of the line, considerable demands were received for Winter sports equipment, Rugby. Soccer, Hockey, etc. These were promptly met from stocks, shipped across previously from Egypt. i