NEARER BOLOGNA

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25181, 19 April 1945, Page 5

NEARER BOLOGNA

EIGHTH ARMY ADVANCES MEDICINA TO GURKHAS POLES WIN THREE TOWNS (Reed, 11.10 p.m.) LONDON, April 18 On the right flank of the Eighth Army in Italy, troops of the 56th London Division have by-passed Argenta and established a bridgehead across the Marina Canal. The New Zealanders have reached the line of the Medicina Canal and linked up on the left with Gurkha troops, who captured the town of Medicina, 14 miles from Bologna, on the Lugo-Bologna road, says a special communique, from Allied Headquarters in Italy. Advances north of the Imola-Bologna highway continue steadily. Polish troops, after heavy fighting, have taken the enemy strongpoints of Castel Guelfo. Pocgio and Castel San Pietro, the last-named being 14 miles southeast of Bologna and the last sixable town before that city. Eighth Army troops, fighting among the flooded marshlands west of Lake Comacchio, have surrounded Argenta. This town stands on the north bank of the Reno River and controls the road to Ferrara, now less than 20 miles ahead of our troops. Indian, New Zealand and Polish troops are pressing steadily nearer to Bologna in spite of stiff German opposition and numerous water obstacles. A correspondent says the Poles are within ten miles of Bologna and have opened long-range gunfire on Bologna railway station. Filth Army forces, south-west of Bologna, captured Mosea and Monteabelle and continue to advance. The Kifth Army moved slowly through heavily mined areas in the second day of their offensive.

Fifth Army troops gained a maximum ol 2500 yards near the west coast, but the strong German defences have limited their right flank gains. The Germans _ have launched ten counterattacks since the capture of Mosca, but they have all been repulsed. s DOMINION TROOPS GAIN OF 3000 YARDS TOTAL OF 1600 PRISONERS (N.Z.E.F. Official War Correspondent) DIV. HEADQUARTERS, April 18 In spite of vigorous resistance from a fresh German formation, the New Zealand Division refused to be halted for more than 36 hours on the line of the Sillaro River. Our troops are now 3000 yards ahead of the river, and the villages of Sesto Imolese and Fantuzza are -in our hands. After a day of brisk exchanges, in which one New Zealand formation was forced back across the river and regained its position, the barrage crashed down again last night. Close behind it came New Zealand infantry, driving straight ahead on the whole divisionju front. Sesto Imolese, the towers of which provided excellent observation posts for the Germans during the past two days, proved a difficult nut to crack. With its fall our left flank advanced more freely until held again near Crocetta.

Meanwhile the centre went ahead steadily to achieve a total penetration of 3000 yards. One German battalion commander, complete with headquarters. fell into our hands and formed part of a stream of 200 prisoners gathered in during the night. This brings the division's total for the week to over 1600.

Bridges were soon in position, and armour and supporting arms are now well forward with the 25th and 26th Battalions on Scola Scolatore.

Before any tanks could get across the river it became apparent that enemy armour was strong on the opposite side. The infantry wa6 not intending to be held up, however, and it was German Tigers and Panthers that found themselves in trouble. Our men went in against them with Piat mortars. The 27th and 25th Battalions claim between them eight tanks.

BRIDGING THE SILLARO

NEW ZEALAND ENGINEERS (N.Z.E.P. Official War Correspondent) DIV. HEADQUARTERS, April 16

Once more the New Zealand Engineers came into the picture in this battle with a great effort in bridging, the Sillaro River. Starting work at ten o'clock last night, they built four lowlevel bridges in seven and a-half hours. The men working on two s bridges came under enemy fire and suffered a few casualties, but all four Baiiey bridges were carrying traffic by 5.30 a.m., the first being used after three and a-half hours' work. Since their brilliant effort on the Senio, the engineers bridged the Santerno for the division, cleared various minefields and opened and maintained several tracks for vehicles. They have had a gruelling time, but are ready for the next task. RELIEF FOR ALBANIA (Reed. 5.35 p.m.) LONDON, April 17 A military agreement signed in Tirana, capital of Albania, on April 11, between representatives of the Mediterranean Supreme Command and Colonel-General Enver Hoxha, Com-mandefr-in-Chief of the Albanian Army of Liberation for the introduction _of relief into Albania. The Albanian authorities will distribute relief.regardless of creed or political affiliation and Allied technical authorities will cooperate to ensure that full use is made of all resources.