NAZI DIVISIONS SWITCHED

Southland Times, Issue 25501, 23 October 1944, Page 5

NAZI DIVISIONS SWITCHED

Effort To Protect Bologna

(Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, October 21. Kesselring in a determined effort to hold up the sth Army’s drive to Bologna, has been withdrawing troops from all other sectors of the front, says The Daily Telegraph’s correspondent with the Bth Army. He now has 10 divisions massed before Bologna, compared with three to four when he began the attack against Bologna. Kesselring, by moving these six tb seven divisions, has weakened his front

in other sectors. The Bth Army, to prevent any further withdrawals from their sector, are attacking all along the front, except on the narrow coastal belt.

The New Zealanders made the most striking advance 'in the new Allied attack. After crossing the Pisciatello river near Macerone, they advanced 3000 yards over a three and a-half miles front. EIGHTH ARMY’S ADVANCE

A communique states that the Bth Army’s advance is now not only towards Forli along the main route northwest of Rimina but is also along the Adriatic coast towards Ravenna. Cesenatico, 12 miles north-west of Rimina, has been captured and Casena is almost all occupied. The communique adds:— “On the sth Army front, 65 more important hill features have been taken and held against counter-attacks. Fierce fighting continues in this sector. Naval gunfire support continues to be given the army near the French-Italian frontier. The United States destroyer, Eberle, on Wednesday bombarded guns and enemy occupied buildings in the Ventimiglia area obtaining several direct hits. The fire was returned by a shore battery but she suffered neither damage nor casualties. In this area sweepers are still active clearing minefields but in the past days they have been hindered by high winds and rough seas.”

A correspondent says that the Durham Light Infantry after capturing the last height dominating Cesena from the south entered the town with strong tank support on Thursday, while Canadian infantry passed through the northern outskirts. Our infantry yesterday crossed the Savino north and west of Cesena and small bridgehead was established at a bridge just northwest of the town, while Canadian armour and infantry also reached Savio.