EIGHTH ARMY

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVI, Issue 22991, 7 September 1944, Page 5

EIGHTH ARMY

Adriatic Coast Drive Six Miles From Rimini By Telegraph—N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright LONDON, September 5. The Eighth Army, pushing along the Adriatic coast road, is now on the outskirts of Rissione, six miles from Rimini, reports a war correspondent. British infantry, supported by Churchill tanks, advanced from the Conca River bridgehead on Monday and broke through the German defences at Santa Clemente. They took the town and advanced to within 1000 yards of Corialuo, six miles south of Rimini. The Germans are still in Montefiore, but the force there in only a small island left behind by the tide of battle. In spite of the disaster that.is overtaking the German forces in France, Belgium and Holland and on the Russian front. Hitler is now using new units in the determination to hold the Eighth Army before Rimini, states the correspondent of the “Daily Express” at advanced headquarters in Italy. The Germans flung in the rested, refreshed 26th Panzer Division against the Canadians in an uncessful counter-attack in the Misano area. It was a sharp engagement and cost the Germans eight Panthers, six Mark IV. tanks and three Hornets. Hitler apparently considers the narrow Italian corridor still one of the main defences for Southern Europe. Some of the divisions the Allies are encountering in Italy have been brought from France and Russia. The bitter fight the Eighth Army is waging remains one of the major battles of the whole European campaign; and the Eighth Army is progressing steadily. Signor Bonomi (Prime Minister of Italy) to-night broadcast from Rome to patriots in Northern Italy appealing to them to throw everything into the struggle against the Germans. Signor Bonomi warned the Italians they must lay down their arms after liberation. The correspondent of the British United Press with the Eighth Army says that the tiny republic of Sari Marino, in the path of the advancing Eighth Army, to-day redeclared strict neutrality, and manned the border defences. Heavy fighting continues on the Adriatic sector where the Eighth Army has driven the enemy from positions on a ridge from Coriano to the sea, and is now approaching the Marano River, states to-day's Allied communique from Italy. In high ground on the left of this advance, heavy fighting is occurring in and around the key town of Coriano.