DRIVING RAIN

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVII, Issue 23112, 29 January 1945, Page 4

DRIVING RAIN

Italian Front Turned To Slush

(Rec. 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 27. Inexplicable explosions, which have been going on behind the German lines in Italy have increased in number, says the correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph Agency. These explosions have been heard for several days. German attacks against outpost positions on the Eighth Army front, preceded by an artillery barrage,. were beaten off. Driving rains are sweeping the front and transforming the snow into slush. On the Fifth Army front prisoners report that the Russians are being forced to construct German defence positions in some sectors. Medium and fighter bombers to-day flew through some of the worst flying weather of the winter to continue successfully bombing key rail lines in Northern Italy says a Rome correspondent. Targets over a wide area were attacked. Fighter-bombers accounted for 70 vehicles, 11 locomotives. 83 rail tanks, 17 horse-drawn vehicles destroyed or damaged, while rails were cut in 27 places. Enemy positions near the FrenchItalian frontier continue to be bombarded by Allied warships, states a Mediterranean communique. During the last nine days the United States destroyer Benson, the British destroyer Lookout, and the French destroyer Troombe have all been in action. Direct hits were obtained on enemy supply dumps and occupied buildings.