ADVANCES IN ITALY

Grey River Argus, 27 September 1944, Page 5

ADVANCES IN ITALY

By the Allies

EIGHT MILES BEYOND RIMINI. (Rec. 12.30). 0 LONDON, Sept. 26 The German Overseas News Agency says: Allied detachments reached the Uso River,. which flows into the sea about eight miles north of Rimini. Fifth Army troops beyond the Gothic Line area reached approximately 12 miles south of the important Bologna-Rimini highway in the Po Valley. Ihe advance increased with the capture of .a dominating Appenine crest in the area of Futa Pass and important hill features north-east of Firenzuola. Eighth Army troops are now within 1500 yards of the historic Rubicon. The Germans are counter-attacking to prevent a crossing. Canadians reached five miles north-west of Rimini. The northernmost point which the Fifth Army now holds south-east of Castel del Rio lies 21 -air-line miles from Bologna, compared with yesterday’s approach to within 15 miles Qf the city, announced in the Allied communique. The Fifth Army met serious setbacks in some sectors because of the ferocity of the German resistance.

Allied heavy bombers on Sunday continued the attack on targets in Greece, when up to 500 Liberators' bombed three aerodromes near Athens, Railyards at Salonika,, and submarine pens and harbour installations on the south coast. No fighters were met. but there was flak at all targets. Mustangs provided a continuous escort, and Lightnings flew sweeps over the Athens and Salonika areas.

MR LA GUARDIA TO RULE ITALY. NEW YORK Sept. 25. Mr La Guardia,. New York’s picturesque Mayor, is to take over the entire Allied administration of Italy, says the columnist, Drew Preston. He adds: La Guardia, who is of Italian stock, will be made a majorgeneral. The decision was reached by Mr Churchill and Mr Roosevelt at the Quebec Conference. With the conditions in Italy increasingly chaotic, Mr Roosevelt told Mr La Guardia that he could go-there if he would stay until the war was over and assume the job of running the entire country.