CERVIA CAPTURED BY 8TH ARMY

Southland Times, Issue 25502, 24 October 1944, Page 5

CERVIA CAPTURED BY 8TH ARMY

SAVIO BRIDGEHEAD ENLARGED (Rec. Midnight) LONDON, October 23. Troops of the Bth Army have captured Cervia, in a five-miles advance across marshy country, reports Reuter’s correspondent. Cervia is on the main highway from Rimini to Ferrara, Padua and north-eastern Italy. Today’s Italy communique says that heavy rain again hampered largescale operations. The recent gains on the sth Army front have been consolidated and some local improvements in forward positions made. On the Bth Army front the bridgehead over the Savio River, no? th of Cesena, has been enlarged against stiff enemy opposition. Our troops in' a mountainous sector crossed the Rabbi River, near Strada, and progressed into the high ground immediately beyond. Troops of the Bth Army have given the enemy no respite in his. withdrawal to the Savio River, which our troops have now reached on a considerably broader front after having crossed minor obstacles and much marshy ground which the enemy endeavoured to make impassable, states an Allied communique from Italy. Cesena has been .cleared of the enemy and a bridgehead established across the Savio River west of the town. Polish troops of the Bth Army have taken Monte Grosso and Monte Della Forche, north of Galaata.

On the sth Army front, Monte Grande, Monte Cuccoli and Monte Cerene have-been taken and our positions in them have been consolidated.