STRONG ATTACK

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21632, 8 February 1945, Page 6

STRONG ATTACK

“FIFTH” IN ITALY GOTHIC LINE FORTS LIMITED GAINS MADE <lO a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 7. Fifth Army troops on February 5 on the right flank south of Bologna made an attack against a limited objective in the heart of the Apennines, says Reuter’s correspondent at Allied Headquarters. The troops on February 6 held positions won after advances of from 500 to 600 yards. The Associated Press’ correspondent, describing the attack, said veteran troops pushed towards two mountain strongholds of the Gothic Line. It was the strongest attack since last October in this sector. The enemy was found lo be as tough as ever. The Allies suffered a number of casualties. The attack opened with 1500 rounds of artillery fire, and tanks were used. The Italy communique says: “The Fifth Army improved its positions in the Serchio Valley south of Bologna. Eighth Army activity was confined to patrolling.”

A Mediterranean air communique says: "The aerial onslaught on German communications in north Italy was continued on February 6. Medium and fighter bombers attacked targets on the Brenner railway route and struck at the railway network system in north Italy. Close aerial support was given to the Fifth Army and tlie Partisan forces in Yugoslavia. Shipping in the Adriatic was also attacked. Two of our planes were lost. Three German planes were destroyed.”

A Stockholm report says a Berlin military spokesman on the night of February 6 told Swedish correspondents that the Allies in northern Italy had launched a new offensive along the entire Bologna-Faenza front.

There is no confirmation of this from Allied sources.