REGIONS CLEARED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21607, 9 January 1945, Page 3

REGIONS CLEARED

CANADIAN PUSH HEAVY SNOW AND RAIN SAN ALBERTO ADVANCE (11 a.m.) LONDON. Jan. 3. British and Canadian Eighlh Army troops in the last four clays cleared 80 square miles of German-held country between Ravenna and the Vaili di Comacchio, north of Ravenna, reports Reuter's correspondent in Italy. At least GOO prisoners were captured. The Allies, despite heavy falls of snow and rain, pushed eastward as far as Casalborsetti, on the Adriatic coast. They inland reached the Reno River just south of the Vaili di Comacchiu Lagoon. Another message states that the Canadians have advanced two miles west of San Alberto. To-day's Allied communique says winter conditions continue to restrict activity to patrolling on both the Fifth and Eighth Army fronts.

Canadian troops found in the paybooks of German prisoners from the Jaeger Division instructions signed by Hitler ordering the commanders, when forced to give up fighting, to hand over command to any officer, 'N.C.O, or private willing to continue the battle, says the Exchange and Telegraph correspondent in Italy. The 'instructions read: “The officer is ■bound to inquire first of officers, then N.C.O.s and then privates whether there is anyone willing to complete the task. If such is, the commander will transfer command to the soldier concerned and himself step down to the ranks.”