NEW ZEALAND TROOPS.

Kaikoura Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 62, 10 August 1944, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND TROOPS.

RECEIVE HEARTY RECEPTION IN FLORENCE. NER FLORENCE, August 4. Flowers, cheers, and embraces were Zealanders who before noon to-day ZZZealanders who before noon to-day entered that part of Florence on the south side of the Arno River. The enthusiasm was terrific, so much so that Bren carriers and tanks with their garlands of flowers had the appearance of carnival procession floats. People lined the roadsides on the approaches to Ponte Vecchio, and the New Zealanders were overwhelmed by the rejoicing people. Infantrymen crowded the outsides of the tanks. Children were thrust at them to be kissed, civilians climbed -aboard, and everything seemed to be well. The enthusiasm was short-lived. Little more than half an hour later enemy guns opened up on the troops. The people scattered, the tanks and vehicles dispersed, and in no time the streets were deserted.

This morning enemy resistance in the area south of Scandicci, which has been holding up the New Zealanders, was broken. The Maoris advanced down diminishing slopes to near the Arno.