ARMY OF LIBERATION

Waikato Times, Volume 132, Issue 22153, 27 September 1943, Page 5

ARMY OF LIBERATION

YUGOSLAV FORCES ADVANCE

(Official Wireless)

(Received Sept. 27, noon) RUGBY, Sept. 26

A communique from the Yugoslav People’s Liberation Army Headquarters says: In the area of Split our units are firmly holding their positions and have repulsed all German attacks. The most severe fighting is raging on the Cetina River. During the last few days the Germans brought up reinforcements and have thrown into the fighting units the Prinz Eugen Division. The battle continues in the coastal region of Croatia and for the town of Susak. The major part of the town is still firmly in the hands of partisans. Units of the First Croat' Corps attacked and put to flight a German column at Bihac. In the province of Slavonia, in Croatia, units of the Second Croat Corps have occupied the town of Diulova.

In Montenegro mopping-up operations in the liberated parts of the country continue. The population are receiving their liberty with great enthusiasm.

In Slovenia another four small towns in the neighbourhood of Ljubljana were occupied. In the province of Istria Croat and Slovene units are holding firmly the whole of the southern sector from the railway line Trieste-Fiume. A heavy battle with German units is raging along the road from Trieste to Pola. The town of Illrska Bysrryca has been evacauted by the partisans, who have taken up new positions. Operations Against Germans More than 180,000 Yugoslav Patriots, with British and Allied officers as advisers, are carrying out fullscale operations against the German and satellite forces, says the Sunday Express. The Germans are rushing forces to Dalmatia in an effort to regain control, but German military commentators admit that the Yugoslavs hold strong mountain positions.

The Free Yugoslav radio claims that practically the whole Adriatic coast is in Partisan hands. Idria, a town about 30 miles 'north-east of Trieste, has been cantured, Trieste is being stormed and the railway fines between Ljubliana, Trieste and Finme have been cut. British motor torpedo-boats carried out a darine raid on Tuesday night against enemy shipping at Bayvlona. the southern Albanian port. Four torpedo-boats, after '’rnssirg the Adriatic Sea. ran a gauntlet of fire from shore batteries and entered the bay. They §ank a merchantman laden with ammunition, and a smaller ship, and scored torpedo hits on .two other vessels. One torpedo-boat was damaged by hatterv fire, hut was able to return to its base with the other craft.