ITALIAN FRONTS

Grey River Argus, 3 May 1944, Page 5

ITALIAN FRONTS

PATROL CLASHES Genoa, Florence and Leghorn Bombed LONDON, May 1. On the Italian land fronts yesterday there were patrol clashes and exchanges of mortar and artillery fire. Heavy German fire occurred on the Adriatic front, south-east of Arielli. Allied patrolling across flat lands in the Anzio beach-head continues daily, with scattered enemy artillery fierce in the forward areas. Fifth Army artillery demolished several enemy-held houses, two and a-half miles south of Littoria. Battered Cassino shook with night gunfire, but no action developed. RUGBY, May 1.

R.A.F. Liberators, Halifaxes and Wellingtons bombed the harbours at Genoa, Spezia, Leghorn and Mon Falcone last night, states a Naples correspondent. These attacks followed heavy blows against targets in Northern Italy during daylight by strongly escorted forces of heavy bombers. Liberators scored hits oh jetties, quays and installations at Genoa, while Wellingtons bombed Spezia and Leghorn. Crews of Halifaxes reported bursts on the shipyards at Mon Falcone. In yesterday’s attacks 11 enemy fighters were destroyed by our bombers and one by the escorting fighters.

FLORENCE BLITZED. LONDON, May 1. The German News Agency states that American bombers in daylight dropped many bombs in the centre of Florence and destroyed the Opera House. GERMAN GENERAL CAPTURED. CAIRO, May 1. British officers daringly raided Crete and captured the German general Kriepe, commander .of the 22nd Panzer Grenadiers, known as the Sebastopol Division. The official announcement says that the operation was carried out a few days ago without Cretan aid. U.S. SHIP SUNK NEARLY 500 MEN MISSING WASHINGTON, May l.| The War Department announced that 498 military personnel are missing following the sinking of an American ship in the Mediterranean recently. N.Z. STRONG MAN LOST LONDON, ,May 1. The Mediterranean correspondent of the- “News of the World” says:— Youngsters who man motor torpedoboats, gun-boats and motor launches in the Mediterranean are rather subdued, for they have just heard that 24-year-old Temporary Sub-Lieuten-ant Norman Broad, of Dunedin, has been killed. Broad* was a former weight-lifting qhampion of Nciw Zealand, and was a legendary figtire for no man could match him in strength in those waters. He was leading two torpedo boats to attack a convoy in moonlight. They set fire to a big schooner and then turned to another attack. Jtist as Broad ordered the fire of torpedoes, his boat was struck by an incendiary shell under the starboard torpledo tube, killing Broad and an Englishman. A second torpedo boat attracted the enemy fire away from Broad’s boat, which fired a vicious parting shot. The New Zealander and Englishman were buried at sea. N.Z, DIVISION GENERAL FREYBERG RESUMES CHARGE. WELLINGTON, May 2. Mr Jones has received advice that General Freyberg has resumed command of the New Zealand Division, and his brigade commanders are Brigadiers L. M. Inglis, K. L. Stewart and G. 8.. Parkinson.

Arrangements have been made for the transfer of Brigadier Kippenberger from Italy to England.

BRITISH SUBMARINES ACTIVE LONDON, May 2.

The British submarines continue to harass the enemy coastline shipping in the Mediterranean and Aegean. They sank two supply ships of medium size and twenty of small size during recent patrols, announces the Admiralty. Seven other vessels, including two tankers and one large supply ship were damaged. Two medium-sized ships were sunk by a torpedo off the French Riviera. In the same area two hits with torpedoes were obtained on a large supply ship proceeding under escort of two destroyers, two smaller escort vessels and aircraft. Counter measures- by the escorts forced the submarine to take avoiding action and it was not possible to observe the full results of the attack, Another submarine surfaced outside a harbour on the south coast of France and shelled a tanker inside. Severals hits were obtained on the vessel, which was seen to be severely damaged. A second tanker, closely escorted, was intercepted off Cape Gamarat, east of Toulon, and one torpedo was seen to hit the enemy before the submarine was compelled to take avoiding action. Amon? two small supply vessels sunk by gunfire in the Aegean were several carrying petroleum.

Y.W.C.A. IN ITALY. (Rec. 9.25) ADELAIDE, Ma v 2. Mrs. Arthur Grenfell, Vice-Presi-dent of the world Y.W.C.A., is visiting Australia at the invitation of Lad v Gowrie. She said the Y.W.C.A. was well.up in the front line in Italy with clubs for nurses and members of women’s auxiliary services. The whole work of the Y.W.C.A. in Italy and Sicily as well as in Egypt, Palestine and Teheran was under the brilliant leadership of a New Zealander, Miss Jean Begg. Miss Begg also flew backwards and forwards to India in an advisory capacity regarding Y.W.C.A. work done there with women in uniform in forward areas. Mrs. Grenfell brings messages from Queen Elizabeth and Mrs. Churchill to the women of Australia.