HEAVY GOING IN ITALY

Grey River Argus, 10 November 1944, Page 5

HEAVY GOING IN ITALY

Some Allied Progress DETERMINED ENEMY RESISTANCE. (Rec. 1.5.) LONDON, Nov. 9.' Thursday’s Allied communique from Italy reports that British troops of the Eighth Army, south-west of Forli engaged in heavy fighting and progressed . against the most deter-' mined resistance. „ Poles further’ west made considerable gains on either side of the M'ontbna River, and occupied a number of important features. The town of Dovadla on the Florence-Forli' road was captured after sharp engagements. Fifth Army negro troops captured the villages of Cabbiano. and Basati. Activity on the remainder of the Fifth Army sector was confined to patrolling and artillery exchanges. LONDON, Nov. 9 Polish troops of the Bth Army, who have gained another hill feature south of Forli. Fighting continues for the bitterly-contested Forli airfield. Monte Casaluda, six miles southwest of Forli, is in Allied hands, after heavy fighting, during which four counter-attacks were beaten off, reports a correspondent at Allied Headquarters. Monte Agostino, two miles west was also captured while on the left flank, troops advancing along the Florence-Forli road captured San Ruffillo, and pushed on towards Dovadola, thus increasing the threat to outflank the Germans defending Forli. On the coast there was fighting four miles south of Ravenna at tne beginning of the network of waterways which since the recent heavy rains have greatly facilitated the defence of the city. . Since early on Wednesday Allied aircraft have again been dive-bomb-ing enemy strongpoints near Forli. Tuesday’s daylight attack ,by the Air Force on enemy positions outside Forli was followed up at night by a heavy artillery barrage, under cover Of which troops were able to creep forward to strengthen the positions across the Ronco River. By this morning the enemy had been driven practically from the Forli airfield and we had reached the village wrom where the road leads straight into the city. If we manage to break through here the Germans west and south-West of the city will be in danger of being cut off. The stalemate which has existed outside Forli is definitely ended, and the capture of the place is in sight, though heavy fighting is ahead during the next few days. The weather has been good for several days now, but much depends on the•' conditions during the next 24 hours. The Germans are still holding out at Forli airfield, fighting for whicn has been going on for nearly a week, states a Reuter correspondent. They are clinging to the bomb-wrecked airfield buildings despite the continued heavy British air attacks. British troops on the southern and Western sides of the airfield have been subjected to heavy shelling. Activity on the sth Army’s sector has been confined to patrolling.