LIMITED GAINS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21633, 9 February 1945, Page 3

LIMITED GAINS

FIFTH ARMY TROOPS THE BOLOGNA SECTOR HEAVY ENEMY SHELLING (Noon.) LONDON, Feb. 8. The Fifth Army in Italy has made further limited gains in the Serchio Valley sector, but there is no confirmation of enemy reports that the Allied armies have launched an offensive, says the Exchange and Telegraph’s correspondent in Rome. The positions remain mainly unchanged on the remainder of the front. Our | troops took Colie, which is a small hamlet, after advancing about half a mile against stiff resistance. A German counter-attack about a mile north of Castel Vacchio gained some ground which our troops later recaptured. They repulsed several other enemy attacks.

The Allies in the central sector south of Bologna encountered some of the heaviest enemy shelling in recent weeks. Nearly 1400 shells fell from afternoon to early morning. Stiff opposition was encountered in this area, but the recent gains have been consolidated. Our tanks have been able to operate on the right flank feeling out enemy positions. A strong enemy party, armed with bazookas and flame-throwers, was repulsed in the coastal area of the Eighth Army front.