BOMBING CONTINUES

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24972, 15 August 1944, Page 5

BOMBING CONTINUES

MEDITERRANEAN COAST SEVERAL HUNDRED AIRCRAFT (Reed. 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 14 For the tenth time in eleven day 6, several hundred aircraft from Italy yesterday swept over to attack German targets on the south coast of France and the Italian Riviera. Heavy bombers attacked bridges, military sites and an airfield, fighter-bombers went for two airfields in the Marseilles area, and long-range Spitfires shot up German radio posts between Marseilles and Nice. NEW GERMAN POSITIONS GOTHIC LINE FOOTHILLS LONDON, Aug. 13 The bulk of the German forces, after their withdrawal from Florence, are now in the foothills before the Gothic Line guarding the Po Valley. Amgot officers who have crossed the Arno River into the main section . of Florence are organising medical, water and food supplies under considerable hazards of indiscriminate sniping, states Renter's correspondent at Allied Headquarters. .Movement in the heart of the city is still dangerous for civilians and officials, but' attempts are being made to restrain sniping duels between patriots and Fascists. A leaflet, signed by Hitler, has been distributed among the Germans, stating that the whole German Army is resuming the offensive within six weeks. Prisoners have stated that the leaflet has considerably strengthened German morale.

FLORENCE EXECUTIONS, TRIAL BY PARTISANS LONDON, Aug. 13 Young red-scarfed members of tie Garibaldi Brigade of the Italian Partisan Forces, who seem to be entrusted with the policing of Florence northof the Arno, shot ten men in civilian clothes with tommy-guns in an arcade flanking the 13tli century Church of Santa Maria Novella, reports the Daily Express correspondent in Florence. The men executed, some of whom had been caught firing from rooftops, were tried by a Partisan tribunal and quickly condemned. Some of them were' shot tlie same afternoon. As they wero rounded up, jeering crowds of several hundred watched from the side of the street. No priest was present when the men were shot. They were not blindfolded and their bodies were left in tlie sunshine after the execution. CITY PILLAGED

NAZI LOOTING IN FLORENCE (Reed. C.15 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 14 The Germans thoroughly and scientifically pillaged Florence, says the Times correspondent in Florence. They even took down the electric tramways' copper cables, rolled them up and carried them off.

The Germans took all surgical and optical instruments from the hospitals and private practitioners' surgeries. They also took all the machinery from the principal factories, including the Galileo optical and precision instruments works. There was also an immense amount of indiscriminate looting of shops and houses. SERVICE AT SIENA (Reed. G. 30 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 14 The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, Dr Bernard Griffin, who is at present in Italy, preached to Eighth Army men in Siena Cathedra]. Among the 5000 troops who attended were men from Britain, New Zealand, South Africa, West Africa and India. The Eighth Army commander, General Leese, also was present. CANADA AND EMPIRE FUTURE WORLD SECURITY OTTAWA, Aug. 13 Canada is prepared to play her full part in any world security organisation established after the war, said the Prime Minister, Mr W. L. Mackenzie King, in the House of Commons. Replying to a plea that Canadian citizenship should De recognised without any labels as to racial origin, Mr Mackenzie King said he favoured full recognition of Canadian nationality and citizenship. He hoped to see a Canadian flag and official recognition of the Canadian National Anthem after the war, but he hoped "God Save the King" would always be sung as the anthem of the British Commonwealth throughout the Commonwealth. Discussing the proposals for an Empire Council and Secretariat, he said there was no division of opinion on the value of maintaining the British Commonwealth. There was room for division whether the Empire could be made stronger by centralisation, or whether decentralisation would make it more permanent and enduring. In choosing between these courses the past record was important. The Commonwealth grew, prospered and remained united on the methods followed up to now. He could not see why anyone wished to adopt a system which would prejudice such success.

WORLD SECURITY PLANS RUSSIAN VIEW STATED (Reed. 8.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Aug. 11 Sir Alexander Cadogan, head of the British delegation to the coming world security conference, told a press conference that Russia had already advised Britain and America of the broad outlines of a world organisation the Russians desire after the war. The New York Times says this is regarded as a favourable omen for the conference, since the Russians previously were reluctant to commit their views to paper. Sir Alexander Cadogan expressed optimism about the results of the conference, pointing out that Britain was in general agreement with the American security plans outlined by President Roosevelt on June 15. ALLIED NAVAL LOSSES LONDON, Aug. 13 The Admiralty announced the follows ins losses in Allied operations for the liberation of Europe: —The destrojers [sis and Quoin, the minesweepers-Magic, Cato and Pylades, the trawler Grandly and the anti-submarine trawler Lord , Wakefield.