ITALIAN FRONTS

Grey River Argus, 11 May 1944, Page 5

ITALIAN FRONTS

German Retirement

FOLLOWS DAM BURST. 5

LONDON, May 9.

At the week-end, German troops made a slight withdrawal in Italy, south of the Maiella mountains, soma l way inland from the Adriatic coast. Troops of the Bth. Arm v followed up and took up new forward positions; The Sth. Army troops did not make contact with the enemy. The Germans are reported to have held this sector very lightly, because it is in very difficult mountain country. The area includes the villages of Palena and Lettopalena, and is about twentyseven miles from the Adriatic coast. The advancing Eighth Army troops were hampered by demolitions. They moved up southward of the 8,600-feet Monte Maiella in the Palena area, 30 miles inland from the Adriatic coast, cutting off the German salient, which formerly extended H miles into tb<» British lines. The Germans retreated the day after the Toore dam was blasted. Water flooded the area only 20 miles north-east of the road—possibly causing the withdrawal. The retreating Germans blew up bridgese and tunnels, and mined the line of retroat l Poor visibility, in the target areas forced the cancellation of the heavy and medium bombers’ mission. Lignt units bombed the highway north ot Rome, destroyed 32 motor vehicles, and two tank carriers, andjjamagea 38 trucks and a third tank carrier. A motor launch and barge were sunk m the Tiber River. The Italian military commander in Rome General Rollo, was killed by revolver shots, this morning;.near hisheadquarters. The assailants escaped. ALLIED AIR RAIDS ON ITALIAN PORTS (Rec. 12.43) LONDON,. May 10. To-day’s Allied communique from Italy states: Allied troops occupied Palena and continue to follav f el l e r 2 ?a troops withdrawing in that area. Palena is about 27 miles from the Adriatic coast on a lateral load iunnino- south-west from the coast through Casoli. The communique adds’ The entire front is quiet. Bad visibility yesterday restricted air operations, but medium bombers, attacked at Incisa a railroad bridge and viaduct with a good, result. Light bombers .and fighter bombers were fairly active, and attacked supply dumps, roads and rail tracks in the Rome area They also hit the CiJita Vecchia docks. Night bombers attacked Genoa and Leghorn. Fieht of the bombers are missing from all these operations. The Medit.erranean Air Force flew approximately 1100 sorties. ~__