FREEING ITALY

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25177, 14 April 1945, Page 7

FREEING ITALY

THE FINAL BATTLE PATRIOTS WARNED EIGHTH ABMY PEOGBESS NEW ZEALAND IN VAN. (Reed. 9.15 p.m.) LONDON, April 13 Instructions have' been broadcast from General Mark Clark's headquarters to patriots in Northern Italy telling them that the final battle for the liberation of Italy haa begun. At the same time the broadcast said the time for general action by the patriots had not yet come arid it warned .them not to .play the enemy's game by premature action. The Eighth Army has established several bridgeheads across the Santerno River in spite of strong resistance. A correspondent says we have got our armour over the river and a fierce battle has been going on. We' have repulsed some counter-attacks. The Times Correspondent on :' the Italian front says Eighth Armv troops who landed four miles behind the enemy's positions on the southern shore

of Lake Comacchio hare Captured two villages and linked up with other forces advancing astride, the Reno River.

First Across the Santerno Among the first troops to cross the Santerno were the New Zealamders, who forced their way more than six miles through every conceivable obstacle. The first assault against the river barrier was made at the first light on WednesThe rupture of the Santerno line tendangers the entire defence line facing the Eighth Army. It was made in spite of everv obstacle which low-lying country with a network of waterways could be made to offer. Flooded areas were quickly passed with the help of the engineers. The Germans attempting ' to prevent us reaching the Santerno left two important bridges intact for the withdrawal of their troops. The N.Z.E.F. under General Freyberg played a leading part in the operations west of Ravenna, says the Daily Telegraph correspondent. He adds: "A New Zealand staff officer told me that the enemy's fighting spirit was poor. 'These men are a different crowd from those we fought at Faenza at Christmas,' he saidi," Poles' Bayonet Charge Polish troops with the Eighth Army participated in the drive across the Senio River, states 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. The point at which the Eighth Army crossed the Santerno has not yet been revealed, but it was somewhere- northwest of Lugo, which the New Zealanders stormed on Tuesday. Reuter's correspondent at Allied headquarters said that this advance was roughly following the line of a secondary road leading toward Bologna with a branch following the Santerno northward to link up with the main Ferrara road. On the west coast sector American troops of the Fifth Army have pushed on nearly two miles beyond Carrera. They crossed the river Ragido in strength. GRATEFUL RUSSIANS MRS CHURCHILL DECORATED (Reed. 5.35 p.m.) . LONDON, April 12 The Supreme Council of the U.S.S.R. I has awarded the Red Banner of Labour | to Mrs Churchill "for conspicuous services in organising public measures for the collection of funds in Br:tain for rendering medical assistance to thi_*..Red Army." Mrs Church illh chairman of the Aid to Russia- Fund.'. ; v The - secretary. Ma b.e! ■ .f" h usim, - has been awarded the Medal ot Labor f.