BRITISH SMASH THROUGH ARGENTA GAP

Southland Times, Issue 25652, 20 April 1945, Page 5

BRITISH SMASH THROUGH ARGENTA GAP

(United Press Association —Telegraph Copyright) (Rec. 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 19. Rapid advances hrst been made in Italy by the British Bth Army, which has smashed through the Argenta Gap and captured a strategically important town only 15 miles from Bologna. Argenta, the only remaining centre of resistance in .the area west of the Commacchio lagoon, has been captured. The town received a terrific pounding from Allied planes, and is now only a heap of rubble with two buildings left standing. Indian troops have advanced four miles north of Medicina. The Gurkhas are involved in stiff hand-to-hand fighting north-west of the town. An Indian Army patrol northwest of Medicina crossed the Gaisna canal. Italian troops south of the main route to Bologna have reached Gaisna on a wide front.

Formations of the sth Army are meeting bitter opposition south of Bologna. American infantry have reached the summit of the long-contested 2000 ft peak Monte Rumici. South Africans, south-east of captured Monte Sole, advanced 1000 yards. Elements of the 10th Mountain Division, after they captured Monto Moscoso advanced a similar distance. The smallness of these gains shows the difficult nature of the battlefield.

A communique from Allied Headquarters in Italy says that sth Army troops, advancing steadily west of the Ver-gato-Bologna highway, captured Monte Remanto and the village of San Prospero. South Africans of the sth Army have taken Monte Castellino, overlooking the Reno Valley. Progress was made south of Bologna in the face of bitter resistance.