CECINA CAPTURED

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVI, Issue 22935, 4 July 1944, Page 5

CECINA CAPTURED

General Advance In Italy (8 p.m.) LONDON, July 2. The Americans captured Cecina after one of the stiffest battles the Fifth Army has fought since the occupation of Rome, says the correspondent of the British United Press. They found Cecina heavily mined and there were many booby-traps. Infantrymen had to force the enemy from the town house by house. While this battle was in progress other units of the Fifth Army bypassed the town. The capture of Cecina clears the coastal road behind these troops, who are now considerably nearer Leghorn. The Algiers radio stated that French troops are within four miles of Seina, the fall of which is imminent.

Eighth A-.ny troops reached Loreto, five miles north-east of Recanatl, and about eight miles north of Potenza River.

The Mediterranean Allied Air Force in June destroyed 480 German planes over Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy and France, for the loss of 176 heavy bombers and 198 other planes. The month marked the opening of the Italy-Russia leg of the Anglo-Russian shuttle bombing route. The Mediterranean Allied Air Force in June destroyed almost 3000 German motor vehicles in Italy. More than 750 Fortresses and Liberators to-day attacked railyards at Rakos on the north-east edge of Budapest, also Vecses airfield, 10 miles from the city, and the oil refinery at Kodlaz, says Reuter’s correspondent at Allied Headquarters in Italy. Other targets were industrial plants at Gyor. the Almazfuzito refinery 30 miles west of Budapest and the rail bridge at Szueok, also the railyards at Brod, on the Zagreb-Belgrade line. The Berlin radio stated that strong formations of American bombers raided Budapest and claimed that 38 raiders were destroyed.

The Allied Armies have now dislodged the enemy from his delaying positions east and west of Lake Trasimeno, says a communique from General Alexander’s headquarters. Eighth Army troops made a rapid advance west of the lake and occupied Sinalunca and Fojano and on Highway 71 are four miles south of Cortona. Further progress was made east of the lake, which recently was the scene of most bitter fighting. Our leading elements have reached Monte Gugliotto, south of Umbertide. We have occupied Nocera. Our troops in the Adriatic are across the Muson River (which runs into the Adriatic al Loreto) and have occupied Loreto and Oslmo. Fifth Army troops are encountering considerable resistance, particularly in the coastal sector, where the heaviest fighting since Rome has occurred. They have advanced all along their front and occupied a number of places.