ITALY SPLIT IN TWO

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVII, Issue 23188, 30 April 1945, Page 5

ITALY SPLIT IN TWO

sth ARMY ON SWISS FRONTIER

Dramatic Developments

By Telegraph—N.Z. Pres:. Assn.—Copyright (Rec. 6.30) LONDON, April 28. Tank spearheads of the United States Fifth Army reached the Swiss frontier near Chiasso, just west of Como, on Saturday, thereby splitting- North Italy in two, cables a correspondent with the forward elements. Other Fifth Army troops are reported to be 25 miles from Milan, and their entry into the city can be expected at any time.

6PO/MED The streets are beflagged and fil

with cheering :ople. Partisans liberated occupied Javia. Mantua, Susa, Vicenza and Turin. An Allied supplementary communique confirms that patriots captured Marshal Graziani and adds that the Allies are now across the Adige River in strength They have captured Brescia and Bergamo. The Brazilian forces overcame enemy resistance at Collecchio. All organised resistance has ended in the Genoa area where more than 6000 prisoners were taken.

The Eighth Army maintained contact with the enemy rearguards which are covering the withdrawal of the main enemy forces to the Venetian line. The Rome correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph Agency says that the capture of Bergamo means that the industrial area of North-west Italy is practically isolated, while the Allies control almost entire road network. All frontline reports tell of the complete disorganisation of the German forces. Mussolini, according to the Milan radio, has been captured by Italian Partisans while trying to escape to

Switzerland. The Partisans suggest that he should be handed over to a people's tribunal for trial. A Rome correspondent reports that Marshal Rodolfo Graziani, Com-mander-in-Chlef of the Fascist Armed Forces, is the prisoner of Italian patriots. The Milan radio announced that Farinacci had been tried and shot. He was judged by the popular court in a north Italian town and executed in the town square in the presence of a large crowd. The Rome correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph Agency says that messages received from Milan state that the city and province have been without bread for the last. 24 hours. The Milan radio broadcast an appeal to the Allies for immediate aid. The Mediterranean naval com-

munique says that an advanced naval port party reached Genoa on Friday evening They found the inner harbour and sea approaches heavily mined, many petties undamaged and cranes and gantries still standing. The part is now being surveyed preparatory to being opened. Minesweepers are engaged in clearing channels from Via Reggio to the Gulf of Spezia and Genoa.

The Italian communique says: The Fifth and Eighth Armies have driven through the strong German Adige defensive line and forced the enemy behind the Brena River. Fifth Army forces captured Vicenza and the Eighth Army captured Padua. Enemy opposition has been scattered.

Fifth Army mountain troops reached the northern end of Lake Garda and American armour reached Como. The 15t.h Ai my Group since the start of the spring offensive has taken prisoner more than 100,000.

“Cease fire has sounded in Piedmont and Lombardy, according to the Swiss radio, quoting the patriot newspaper “Liberia,” which stated that British and American officers yesterday conferred with the German general, upon which it was decided to cease hostilities. Partisans were ordered to cease fire and German units to stay where they are. It was announced at Supreme Allied Headquarters that French troops are along or over the Italian frontier for a distance of 50 miles in the Maritime Alps. They have captured villages 10 miles inside Italy.

The Swiss radio says the Americans have occupied Como. Pilots in Italy report that white flags are flying in the Padua area and the people in the streets are waving the Italian national colours. The Rome radio announced that the former secretary-general of the Fascist. Party. Carlo Scorza, and the former Italian delegate to the League of Nations, Baron Sardi, have been captured in Northern Italy.