THE LAST BATTLE?

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 16 April 1945, Page 5

THE LAST BATTLE?

ALLIES READY IN ITALY ENEMY STRONGER THAN IN WEST MESSAGE FROM FIELD MARSHAL ALEXANDER (Rec. 10.20 a.m.) Rugby, April 15. “We are now in line ready for what we hope will be the last battle,” stated Field* Marshal Alexander, Supreme Allied Commander in Mediterranean, ten days ago, before the start of the present Italian offensive, cables a Rome correspondent. Field Marshal Alexander pointed out that it is possible that the last organised fighting of the war will be in Italy. He said the Allies in Italy were facing a

stronger army than the Allies in the west and disclosed that the Italy armies will be responsible for the occupation of part of Austria, which will be divided into three zones.

Field Marshal Kesselring’s place as German commander in this theatre has been taken by Colonel General von Mietinghoff, former Commander of the 10th German Army. The Eighth Army is meeting heavy opposition in the bridgehead over the Sillaro River, states an Allied communique from Italy. Our troops farther to the north have reached the Reno River at Bastia where heavy fighting is going on. Eighth Army troops in the Imola area are closing in around the town. Fifth Army forces have made iurther progress astride the Ligurian highway. Only modest gains are reported in the Eighth Army attacks in the Po Valley towards Ferrara and Bologna, state correspondents in Italy. The Germans are throwing in reinforcements in an effort to smash hard-won bridgeheads over the Sillaro River. POLES CAPTURE IMOLA A special communique from Italy says Poles of the Eighth Army have captured Imola and are approaching the Sillaro River. The Eighth Army bridgehead across the river on their right has been considerably strengthened. Heavy fighting continues south of Lake Commachio. Fifth Army troops, despite strong opposition, advanced in mountainous terrain north-west of Vergato. Progress continues ori the west coast.