CLOSING ON FORLI

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21551, 2 November 1944, Page 6

CLOSING ON FORLI

EIGHTH ARMY MEN TWO MILES~OFF TOWN AMERICANS’ TOUGH FIGHT (10 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 1. With no improvement in the ground conditions, the positions on the Eighth Army front in Italy show little change, states a correspondent in Rome. Meldola, on the western bank of the River Ronco. below Forli. is now in our hands ancl our bridgehead has been further improved. Further west, the Germans have withdrawn from Caminate. Hand-to-hand fighting developed in a series of four fierce counter-attacks supported by flame-throwers against the American positions in the Vedriano sector, four miles south ul Highway 9 The Germans failed similarly in the Castelaceio area. The British units on the right flank captured Monte Norcella. The Brazilians in a co-ordinated attack on a lull on the eastern side of the Serchio Valley captured four objectives. Polish troops compelled the Germans to abandon the do mm at up Caminate rocks overlooking the n'.am around Forli, says Reuter's correspondent at .Allied Headquarters in Lruy. With t.he capture of Meldola the Allies are now only two miles from the key town or Forli. “The Eighth Army has strengthened its bridgehead across the Ronco River apd cleared Meldola, ’’ says an Allied Headquarters communique. "the Fifth Army south of Bologna repulsed sharp counter-attacks aim inflicted heavy losses. Elsewhere there was patrolling and artillery duels.”