ITALIAN FRONTS

Grey River Argus, 13 September 1944, Page 5

ITALIAN FRONTS

RAIN AND MUD FIFTH ARMY PROGRESS LONDON, Sept. 10. Heavy rain and mud continue to hamper Eighth Army operations on the Adriatic sector. The rain is welcome by Allied soldiers who have been fighting throughout a hot, dry summer in chocking dust. These men just stood with their faces turner up and let the rain beat down on them, but the rain has slowed down the Allied advance by flooding the dried riverbeds and destroying makeshift bridges. However the rain will not worry the Allies when they reach the Po Valley vyhere tanks can be deployed to advantage. Stiff fighting is still going on, with frequent enemy counter-attacks and shelling. A strong German counterattack launched in the Groce sector yesterday morning is still going on. On the Adriatic coast the battle of the ridges between the Gothic Line and Rimini continues. The Germans are fighting fiercely and have made a number of counter-attacks which our troops repelled. Losses on both sides have been heavy. An Allied advance in the Florence sector is progressing on a wide front and gains have given- control of important features in the mountainous area where the Fifth Army troops are coming to grips with their Gothic Line defences. They have also pushed beyond Lucca and are advancing north as the Germans continue to fall back along the coast towards the western anchor positions of the Gothic Line. ALLIED GAINS BEYOND FLORENCE. (Rec. 5.50) LONDON, Sept. 12. An Allied communique on Monday from Italy stated: North of Florence large advances have been made both by British and American troops. British troops are approaching the town- of Dicommane. West of this town they have also advanced. North of Florence, American Fifth Army troops made a rapid advance, and are now on the line of a river with patrols across into high ground, where they are within three miles of main Gothic Line positions. Further west F'iftli Army troops made further big pains, clearing the important cities of i Prato and Pistola, and are proceeding up to high ground towards the Gothic Line. North of Lucca, American patrols are in contact with forward positions of this line. British and Indian Eighth Army] troops continue to push forward against determined enemy resistance in high ground on the left Adriatic sector.