ADVANCING TO PO RIVER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 96, 24 April 1945, Page 5

ADVANCING TO PO RIVER

ALLIED ARMIES IN ITALY

LITTLE OVER A MILE TO FERRARA

Recd. 11.45 p.m. London, April 23. Following the capture of Bologna, the Allied sth and Bth Armies in Italy are steadily advancing toward the River Po. At one point they are little more than a mile from the important communications centre of Ferrara.

American and South African troops reached the Secchia River so swiftly that they were able to seize two bridges before the Germans could destroy them, say correspondents in Italy. The Secchia River flows a mile west of Modena, northwards into tne Po River. Mitchells yesterday relentlessly pounded Germans retreating in lhe |po Valley. They bombed 13 pontoon .bridges and along the Po River. Armoured and infantry columns of I the sth and Bth Armies in the Po Valley, following the capture of Bo■logna, are relentlessly driving on towards the Po River, states a late night . communique from Allied headquarters in Italy. Fifth Army troops have forced crossings of the Secchia and . Panero Rivers. Other sth Army troops are closing in on Modena, and the Bth' Army is within two miles of Ferrara. .