N.Z. TROOPS AGAIN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 13 April 1945, Page 5

N.Z. TROOPS AGAIN

OVER SANTERNO RIVER EIGHTH ARMY SPEARHEAD ENEMY DEFENCE LINE ENDANGERED Rugby, April 12. Among the first troops to cross the Santcrno River in the Eighth Army’s offensive in Italy, were New Zealanders who forced their way more than six miles through every conceivable obstacle. The first assault against the river barrier was made at first light yesterday and the news now available is behind the actual event, says a Rome cor- * respondent. The rupture of the Sant&rno Line endangers the entire defence line facing the Eighth Army. It was made despite every obstacle which the low-lying country with a network of waterway* could provide. POLES TAKE PART Polish troops with the Eighth Army participated in the drive across the Senio River, states the Polish Corps headquarters. Poles in a bayonet charge drove the Germans from near the banks of the Senio and established a bridgehead. They took hundreds of prisoners, THREAT TO BOLOGNA A definite threat to Bologna is already developing as our forces surge into the heart of the Po Valley, says the Exchange Telegraph Agency correspondent in Rome. The northern half of the Eighth Army is in action east of Bologna. The advance from Alfonsine has carried our forces three miles in a north-westerly direction along the highway to Massa on the Vacalina Canal. R.A.F. Liberators last night went into action to support the Eighth Army attacking points close to the battleline south-west of Lake Comacchio. Reuter’s correspondent reports that the Eighth Army is advancing beyond the Santerno River towards Sillaro River, another formidable water barrier six miles to the northward. The point at which the Eighth Army crossed the Santerno River has not been revealed, but it is somewhere northwest of Lugo, which the New Zealanders stormed on 10th April. Reuter’s correspondent at Allied Headquarters in Italy to-day said this advance is roughly following the line of a secondary road leading towards Borogna. with a branch following the Santerno to the north to link up with the main Ferra road. All frontline reports show that the Germans are fighting with determination, even after the heavy initial bombing attack. Some Germans are still ' found in their foxholes and slit trenches full of fight. The fullest air support continues to be given to the Eighth Army forces as they pound ahead with tanks and guns across the flat land of the Po Valley, which is riddled with dykes and ditches. The Mediterranean Air Forces flew over 3000 sorties. The entry of the Americans on the Fifth Army front into Massa was • picturesque affair. The Americans described it as a triumphal march, with bearded and pistoled Italian Partisans who had participated in the fighting going in. The Germans later in the day started shelling their lost stronghold, causing crowds to disperse from the centre of the town.