FLORENCE TAKEN

Grey River Argus, 14 August 1944, Page 5

FLORENCE TAKEN

' ENEMY WITHDRAWS From Arno River (Rec. 6.30.) LONDON, August 12. The Exchange Telegraph correspondent, in Italy says:—"Tne enemy on Thursday night withdrew the majority of his troops from Florence. They proceeded northward from the Mugnone Canal, whicn runs through the northern outskirts, of the city. Thus Allied forces have now captured all of Florence..’ A.M.G.O.T. officers have now crossedthe Arno River to assist the civilianpopulation. A Reuter correspondent says: Contrasting with Rome, the citizens of Florence welcomed the Allies without any flowers, flags or finery, but.’ with frantic expressions of heartfeltrelief. x , All of the main architectural features of Florence are not scratched. Italian patriots in the city for six days before the final entry of Allied forces, kept the Allies informed of' the German movements by means of telephone lines which they rigged up under the noses of German sentries. All the male inhabitants of Florence have been subjected to a twenty-four, hours’ curfew while a mopping up of snipers continues. General Alexander refrained from sending armed forces into Florence proper. Pressure, from -either side of the city, has forced the German troops to withdraw several miles from the north bank of the River Arno. The pressure is being kept up. The German Overseas News Agency says that it was announced at Venice that Mussolini had joined his fighting troops at the front. ..(Rec. 12.10) LONDON, Aug. 13 . The Eighth Army troops in Florence are still on the South bank ot the Arno, although A.M.G.O.T.- officers, despite snipers crossed the river into the town to render assistance to. the civilian population, states Sunday’s Allied communique from Italy. There is no change in the situation on the remainder of the front.