GIVE AND TAKE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25797, 19 March 1945, Page 5

GIVE AND TAKE

ACTIVITY IN ITALY PUSHING ON TO BOLOGNA (Rec. 8.30 p.m.) RUGBY, Mar. 17. A Mediterranean communique states that the Fifth and Eighth Armies continue to probe the enemy positions, and several sharp clashes resulted. Very strong forces of heavy bombers yesterday successfully bombed oil refineries, communications, and targets in Austria, while widespread attacks by various types of aircraft were maintained against communications and other targets in Italy, Jugoslavia, and elsewhere. A number of enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground and in the air. We lost 13 aircraft from 2100 sorties, including six heavy bombers. The Fifth Army’s threat to Vergato has increased with the capture of the village of Serra, north-east of the German Appennine stronghold, says Reuter’s correspondent at Allied headquarters in Italy. Marshal von Kesselring’s troops, patrolling aggressively on the spit of land between the Adriatic and Valli di Comscchio, clashed with Eighth Army patrols. There was reconnaissance along the whole front.

After the capture of Serra A which took place at night, our troops rushed westward to Salvaro, where they met strong resistance from small arms and machine-guns. The Germans became very aggressive during the night, and strong forces attacked our positions in the vicinity of San Martino, about four miles north-east of Vergato. They were repulsed after an artillery duel. West of the Reno River one of our raiding parties penetrated deep into enemy territory north of Monte Belvedere and destroyed a quantity of equipment and ammunition.

On the Eighth Army front a strong force attacked our positions in the vicinity of San Martino, lying to the east of Salvaro, but was repulsed. Air Operations The air section of the Mediterranean communique says that strong forces of escorted United States heavy bombers on Saturday concentrated their attacks on oil refineries at Rushland (Germany), Kolin (Czechoslovakia), and Moorsbierbaum, Florisdorf, and Schvechat (Austria). The attack against Rushland was the deepest penetration into Germany yet made by the Fifteenth. Air Force. Other formations attacked marshilling yards in South-east Germany. R.A.F. heavy bombers dropped supplies in Jugoslavia, and medium bombers hit rail bridges on the southern end of the Brenner supply route and in the Po Valley; while night Intruder bombers attacked road and rail communications throughout Northern Italy, and fighter-bombers and fighters attacked communication targets, effecting many rail cuts, and destroying road and rail transport. The air forces flew mqre than 1850 sorties, and eight of our aircraft (all heavy bombers) are missing.