TANKS AND INFANTRY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25674, 24 October 1944, Page 5

TANKS AND INFANTRY

NEW ZEALANDERS IN ITALY ADVANCE TO SAVIO RIVER (N.Z.E.F. Official War Correspondent) LOMBARDY PLAINS, (Rec. 7 p.m.) Oct. 21. Tanks of the New Zealand Armoured Brigade, supported by infantrymen,, continued their advance to-day on the line of the river Savio. Some opposition came from enemy elements north of our sector, but by mid-day the New. Zealanders were firm on the river bank and mopping-up operations, which produced a small number of prisoners, had accounted for all the Germans who remained in the sector east of the river. The tanks, working across country, struck very difficult going on fields still soft with rains, but fortunately all the units were in position before light rain showers fell during the afternoon. Much difficulty had been experienced in keeping up supplies to the foremost tanks as the ground is too rough even for jeeps, and all the oil and ammunition for the tanks and water for the crews have had to be carrried up at night by light reconnaissance tanks, which undertake this task in addition to their daytime job of scouting ahead of the heavy tanks. The latest New Zealand battalion commander to take prisoners is Lieu-tenant-colonel H. V. Donald, of Masterton. Yesterday morning, when the tanks were advancing towards the Savio River, v Lieutenant-colonel Donald and his driver entered the small village of San Gimergio to select a position for the new battalion headquarters. Neither the tanks nor the infantry had passed through the village, so that when Lieutenant-colonel Donald and his driver arrived they were quickly surrounded by a crowd of Italians, who hastened to inform them that five German soldiers were still there. Armed only with a pistol, Lieutenant-colonel Donald, who was directed by the Italians, soon had the Germans “in the bag.” This was but one instance among many where the Italians were eager to give helpful information about the presence of enemy soldiers.