Yugoslavs Hold Coast Of Dalmatia

Northern Advocate, 27 September 1943, Page 3

Yugoslavs Hold Coast Of Dalmatia

(Rec. 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 26. A communique from the Yugoslav People's Liberation Army headquarters says that in the area of Split Yugoslav units are firmly holding positions and have repulsed all German attacks.

Most severe fighting is raging on the Cetina River. During the last few days the Germans brought up reinforcements and have thrown into the fighting units of the Prinz Eugen Division. The battle continues in the coastal region of Croatia and for the town of S.usak. The major part of the town is si ill firmly in the hands of the partisans. Units of the First Croat Corps attacked and put to flight a German column at Bihac. In the province of Slavonia, in Croatia, units of the Second Croat Corps have occupied the town of Djulova. In Montenegro mopping-up operations in the liberated parts of the country continue. The population is receiving liberty with great enthusiasm. In Slovenia, another four small towns in the neighbourhood of Ljubljana were occupied. In the province of Istria, Croat and Slovene units are holding firmly the whole southern sector fi'om the railway line from Trieste to Fiume.

A heavy battle with German units is raging along the road from Trieste to Pola. The town of Ilirska Bysrryca has been evacuated by the Partisans, who have taken up -new positions. According to a communique of the Yugoslav People’s Army of Liberation, the greater part of Susak which is only five miles south-east of Fiume, is in partisan hands. The communique also states: “At Split, partisan forces have repulsed a great number of German attacks and inflicted heavy losses.

“In Slovenia, a violent battle is raging for the town of Goriza, 20 miles norih-north-west of Trieste. Under heavy German pressure, partisans have abandoned the aerodrome of Goriza and the southern outskirts of the city. In these operations several tanks were destroyed. In the province of Lika, in Crotia, a German attack was repulsed and the Germans were forced back to the line of Barac-Knin, in the province of Slovenia.

A second Croat army corps carried out successful operations against railway lines in Serbia.”

Big Patriot Army

More than 180,000 Yugoslav patriots, with British and Allied officers as advisers, are carrying out full-sdale operations against the German and satellite forces, .says tne “Sunday Express.” The Germans are rushing forces to Dalmatia in an effort to regain control, but German military commentators admit that th„Yugoslavs hold strong mountain positions.

Free Yugoslavia radio claims that nearly the whole Adriatic coast is in partisan hands. Idria is captured, Trieste is being stormed, and railway lines between Lubljana, Trieste and Fiume have been cut