FLORENCE AREA

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24971, 14 August 1944, Page 3

FLORENCE AREA

GERMANS WITHDRAW ALLIES YET TO CROSS ARNO (Rrcd. 11 ~10 p.m.) IvONDON, Aug. 13 The Germans have withdrawn lo new positions north of Florence, but no Allied troops are yet reported to be across the lliver Arno. The streets of Florence are heavily mined. Today's Allied communique from Italy says that Eighth Array troops at Florence are still on the south bank of the Arno, although Amgot officers, in spite of snipers, crossed the river into the city to render assistance to the civilian population. There is no change in the situation on the remainder of the front.

The Exchange Telegraph's correspondent says the enemy on Thursday night withdrew the majority of his troops in Florence to the north of tho -Mugnone Canal, which runs through the northern outskirts of the city. Mopping-up o! Snipers Router's correspondent at Allied Headquarters reports that all male Florentines have been subjected to a 24-hour curfew while tho mopping-up of snipers continues. General Alexander has refrained from sending armed forces into Florence proper, but the pressure from, either side, which forced the Germans to withdraw several miles from the north bank of tho Arno, is being kept up. In contrast to the scones in Rome, citizens of Florence welcomed the Allies without flowers, flags or finery, but with frantic expressions of heartfelt relief. All the main architectural features of Florence are not 'even scratched. The German news agency reports that Gorman troops in Florence nave been withdrawn from tho northern bank of the Arno to the northern fringe of the city. This measure has been taken to deprive the Allies of any pretext for the systematic destruction of Florence. Advances in Arno Loop In the Arno loop, east of Florence, the British are occupying places vacated by the Germans in tho withdrawal of their main forces north of the Arno. Our troops, however, are held up by extensive demolitions and minefields. Torri, Castellonchio and ! Monie Acuto, all in tho loop, were found clear of tho enemy. Tho Swiss radio announced that the German commander in Milan imposed a curfew because of the increasing number of attempts against tho lives of Fascists and German soldiers. The German overseas news agency says it is announced from Venice that Mussolini has joined his fighting troops at the front. ADRIATIC LAND FORCE ALLIED COMMANDOS LONDON, A us. 12 A new Allied commando force, known as tho Adriatic Land Force, has been formed and is already in action, says an announcement. The new force is supported by the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force and will constantly strike against points on the Adriatic coastline where the enemy is most vulnerable. x\.n attack in force, made against an enemy garrison in Albania on July 29, was the first time British troops had landed and fought in Albania.

CHURCHILL IN ITALY TITO ALSO A VISITOR (Rml. 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, An*. 12 It is officially announced that tho Prime Minister, Mr Churchill, lias arrived in Italy. Router's correspondent at .Allied Headquarters says the announcement did not state tho purpose or probable length of the visit. 'Jhis is Mr Churchill's first wartime visit to Italy. Ho was to have visited the troops there after the Teheran Conference, but was prevented by his illness. On Wednesday he wan in Normandy, which was his third visit to the fighting front there. The United Nations radio in Algiers ways that Marshal Tito has also arrived in Italy. The United States Undcr-Secretary of War, Mr 11. P. Patterson, and tho Commander of the United States Army Supply Service. Lieuteiiant-General B. Is. Somervoll, lnive arrived in Homo on a tour of inspection. QUEBEC POLITICS QUEBEC, Aug. 13 The Union Nntionalo loader, M. Maurice Duplessis, announced that ho will assume the office of Premier of One hen on August MO, succeeding M. Ailelord fjoc|hout.