EMPOLI TAKEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24972, 15 August 1944, Page 6

EMPOLI TAKEN

NEW ZEALAND TBOOPS THE CAMPAIGN IN ITALY (N.Z.E.F. Official War Correspondent) ABOVE EMPOLI, Aug. 12 Kmpoli, an important rail and communications centre across tho Arno, 16 miles west of Florence, has fallen. This is the climax of a three-day limited offensive, tho aim of which is to clear the south bank of the Arno of the enemy. After operations which cleared the approaches to Florence by breaching the Pauli lino and which culminated in Now Zealand troops entering Florence itself, attention was directed to widening the salient then driven into tho German defences by forcing the enemy across the river west of the city. For three successive nights the intantry felt their way forward through positions known to be hold by the Germans. Casualties wero light, hut tho nature of the ground was such that in daylight troops in forward positions wero completely under the observation of the enemy. Advance Into Valley The task of the troops was to move down a succession of ever-diminishing heights into the river valley, dominated always by mountains which form the defences of the Gothic line. In threo days, the men advanced, over a wide Iront, distances averaging 3000 yds, reaching the Arno along most of the .sector and taking 50 prisoners. A largo proportion of our casualties were due to mines placed by the enemy on tho river approaches, but there was much gun and mortar fire also. Fighting patrols and machine-gun posts were engaged, and by night one formation was on the river west of Kmpoli. lu the small hours of tho morning, a German force of more than company strength crossed tho river and penetrated between two formations. According to (prisoners, tho force was thrown together from what reserves tho enemy could muster. ]t included headquarters troops and specialists, and the men received instructions that they were to get identification of their opponents _ or stay forward. Any man bringing in a live prisoner was promised the Iron Cross and 50 marks. There wero no takers. Tanks as Bridge-busters The formations on either flank of the hapless Germans poured in the full weight of fire. Many were killed or wounded, and we took 27 prisoners. Our attack did not hesitate last night. The troops moved into Empoli without serious resistance, although there was heavy enemy fire from the cast. Four Tiger tanks sit aeross_t.be Arno from Kmpoli. They aro not visible, but their guns can bo heard. At night, German patrols cross by rubber dinghy, as their best fords are already covered by Allied troops. Empty boats which did not return drift buoyantly down tho Arno. Farther east, where the Germans still have a precarious footing on the south bank, patrol activity is very lively. Shermans, firing as artillerv, are making quite a name for themselves as bridge-busters. Observers saw two bridges north of the Arno explode in a fountain of black smoke as their demolition charges were hit. A third explosion occurred beside another bridge. Evidently the charge had been removed for safety, or had not yet been placed in position. This premature destruction is serious for the enemy, as he needs those bridges badly.

HOUSES FOR ROTORUA 20 MORE STATE UNITS (0.c.) ROTORUA. Monday Twenty more houses will shortly be built on the Wallace estate block in Rotorua, where already there is a considerable population of State tenants. Fourteen of these units will he erected by a private building syndicate and six by trainees from the Maori school of carpentry. Of the last group of 10 units erected under supervision by the trainees, two are in occupation, four are awaiting the interior decorators, and the other four are three-quarters completed. The laying of water mains will be begun this week. Twenty-one students of the carpentry school will pass on from their initial training to practical work next Monday, and will reinforce the men already working on the Wallace block who had their first training at the same centre, REMARKABLE CLAIM PASTOR'S "DIVINE MESSAGE" SYDNEY, A uk'. 10 Pastor W. R. Richter, of the Hestored Apostolic Church, Bundaberg, Queensland, whom Judge Brennan recently described in the Queensland Supreme Court as "an old scamp, humbug'ami hypocrite," has figured in the news Again with a claim that he has received a Divine message. In a circular letter he has sent to ministers of various denominations in Bundaberg he says he was warned by tlio Holy Spirit that Bundaberg will be raided by the Japanese in the near future. Early this month Pastor Richter admitted in Court that he had advised a man and his wife not to call a doctor for their dying seven-year-old daughter. Ho said he did this to enable the parents to test their belief in God. The parents, Rudolph Seesink and Winnifred Seesink, were convicted of manslaughter and were bound over. Pastor Richter's circular letter says that on a recent national day of prayer he received this message: "So speaks the Holy Spirit: 0 Bundaberg, your sins have risen up to Heaven, and so 1 must let this disaster come over you. You stand before Me as a great bramble, but from this bramble shall come forth flowers and fragrant oil-leaves. Yes, Bundaberg. you will feel My hand. Then you will wake up."

VISIT TO CAMP SITE A visit to the City Council's transit camp and temporary housing area at Western Springs was made yesterday by Mr A. O. Osborne, .M R., Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Prime Minister, lie was accompanied bv the Mayor. Mr J. A. C. Alluni. the town clerk. Mr T. \V. M. Ash by. and Mr W. M C. Deuham. M.P. for 1 riveron rgill. Mr Osborne said subsequently that he would be discussing various aspects of the two schemes with the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser. "SUXOLA" LUNG TONIC A GREAT SUCCESS Has Helped Thousand* To Quit Coughs and Colds No matter how cnrrful a person may be, coughs and colds will coitto to make life miserable and nap your energies. If ,vou were one of ttic lucky thousands who took "Siniota" l,iintr Tonic last winter yon will know how successfully this mixture will treat nil cousrhs and colds. In fact, when taken promptly, "Snnola" Tiimir Tonic «ill frequently break l cdlil with doses. "Snnola" UmiK Tonic has a double action. Not (inly docs it give immediate relief, but it also attacks the fundamental causes of coinrhs and colds and that is why tho most stubborn couL'h soon gives way to "Sunola" Lumr Tonic. Another (food idea for winter Is to sprinkle a little "SUN IIALANT" on your handkerchief and inhale throughout the day. "Snnhalunt" reduces the risk (rf infection . . . ami if you have it cold it clears the head, "Sunola" liiinn Tonic. '2s Bd and <ls n bottle, and "Sunlialant," '_'s Sd a bottle are sold by all Chemists and Stores . . . and tho Wholesale Distributors are Fletcher. Humphreys and Co.. Ltd., 49 Cathedra! Square, Christ church.—Advt.