Only 30 Miles From Port Of Leghorn

Northern Advocate, 29 June 1944, Page 3

Only 30 Miles From Port Of Leghorn

i,iiul. ii a.mj > i-.vji\ jjvjiN, junt; Fifth Army troops, after advancing: 120 miles in 22 days since the beginning of the push from Rome, are now only 30 miles south of the next big objective, Leghorn, says a correspondent of the British Uni fed .Press, at Allied Headquarters in Italy.

Other Fifth Army forces farther inland are now 17 miles south-west of Siena. The Germans are resisting stubbornly along the whole Fifth Army front. Reuter’s correspondent cays that Kesselring is demolishing whole villages and converting them into vast tank blocks in an effort to halt the Allied steam-roller pushing him bad: on his final covering position on the Rimini-Pisa line. The Eighth Army, west of Lake Trasimeno, has advanced six miles beyond Chiusi. Progress is more limited east of the lake because the Germans have converted Magione into a fortress. Increased Resistance Advancing against increased German resistance offered by reinforcements on the coastal sector, the Fifth Army occupied San Vincenzo, on highway 1, on June 27, after fierce fighting, writes a correspondent at Allied headquarters. The Germans evacuated the civilians and prepared the town for defence, with numerous obstacles and barbed wire. Fifth Army infantry smashed in on Monday night and wrested the town from the enemy after hours of house-to-house fighting. Some four miles farther on the infantry moved forward to by-pass and surround Sassetta. A task force captured Travale after pushing on from Montieri. Travale, like Montieri. has been demolished by the enemy in an attempt to convert the entire village into a tank block. Bitter fighting took place on the French sector of the Fifth Army front, with the enemy launching small counter attacks In an attempt: to reduce the bridgehead on the north bank of the River Orcia. South-west of Lake Trasemeno, the attack on Goiclla continued for six hours before tanks were able to enter the village on Thursday evening. On the eastern side of the lake progress has been limited, and the enemy is holding Magione in force, using Magione railway staton as a strongpoinr.

Heavy fighting occurred in the vicinity of Colombella, six miles north-east of Perugia, where progress has been made, forward elements advancing some two miles north-east from Colombella.

The Eighth Army progressed in several areas against strong opposition, with continued stubborn resistance along virtually the whole front. In the Perugia sector the heights of Paccino, about five miles north of the town, were taken after hard fighting. On the Ardiatic coast, where our troops hold the general line of tne Chionti river, patrols and artillery are very active. Near the coast and south of Maccrta, strong artillery and mortar fire has been encountered. Our troops are fighting in the area of Urbigsagli, eight miles southwest of Macertn. P; unify Favours Defence

The Allied armies continue to attack in country favouring enemy defensive tactics, says today’s communique from General Alexander’s headquarters. The enemy continues to cling stubbornly 10 delaying positions all along the front. Fifth Army troops, steadily driving back the enemy, have occupied San Viconz, Sassetta and Chiusbino.

French troops are now in the vicinity of Quirica San Dorcia.

Eighth Army troops have made further progress near Lake Chiusi, and captured the villages of Giocella and Porto. A medium force of heavy bombers yesterday attacked ob.jectivs in the Budapest area, and railway yards at Brod. Fighter-bombers wore active against roads, railways, and bridges in Northern Italy, in addition lo gun positions and motor transport in the battle area. Other fighter-bombers attacked a shipyard at: Sestrilonante and targets in Yugoslavia. Fighters flew patrols and offensive sweeps. Adverse weather ' prevented mediumbomber operations. Thirty-eight enemy planes were destroyed in these operations Six of ours are missingThe Mediterranean Air Force flew approximately 1500 sorties. It can now be announced that French naval units, operating in the Adratic on the night of June 10. made a series of atltacks against an escorted enemy convoy. At least one vessel was seen to blow up.