HARD FIGHTING

Waikato Times, Volume 195, Issue 22428, 16 August 1944, Page 2

HARD FIGHTING

NEW ZEALAND DIVISION DRIVE TOWARD FLORENCE HEAVY COUNTER-ATTACKS WELLINGTON, Tuesday. A report dated August 10 on recent operations of the New Zealand Division has been received by the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, from Lieuten-ant-General Sir Bernard Freyberg, V.C. General Freyberg describes the activities of the division after the battle for Cassino. For security reasons the part played by the New Zealand Division in driving the enemy back north of the Arno riverdid not receive any publicity until after the operation was over. After a fortnight’s rest and training the division was called upon to rejoin the Eighth Army in the line. The division moved on July 8 and by July 13 the Sixth Infantry Brigade, under Brigadier Burrows, had taken over its sector of the line. The Lignano feature had to be taken to cover hte flank of a British armoured division and a Guards brigade on the left, which was to drive to Arezzo. The Sixth Brigade attacked on the night of July 14 with complete success and by daybreak Lignano was firmly in our hands. The enemy withdrew from Arezzo that night and our advance north was resumed. Objective near Florence On July 21 the division was switched to another sector farther west on the left of the South Africans, where its role was to take a narrow front and drive a wedge through to the Arno south-west of Florence, the city itself not being a military objective. The division took over its new sector on July 21 and next day the Fifth Brigade, under Brigadier Stewart, advanced, supported by tanks of an amoured brigade and covered by our artillery. For four days the Fifth Brigade pushed the enemy gradually back in stiff fighting. The Sixth Brigade and the Fourth Armoured Brigade (Bridadier Lnglis) came into the line with the Fifth Brigade and ‘ for a fortnight the battle went on as the enemy tried hard to prevent a wedge being driven into his line. He deployed all his available reserves and faced the New Zealanders with regiments of the Fourth Parachute Division and the 29th Panzer Grenadier Division. The enemy suffered heavy losses, as he had to hold unprepared rearpositions, where he was hammered with the full weight of «iv.i.ay, iUppuiicd oy tariKs and aircraft. Our field and medium guns used in this operation were capable of firing 40,000 shells a day. The softening-up process proved successful, with considerable elimination of the enemy. City Becomes Visible On July 26 the Filth Brigade was nelci up snort of (Jasciano, a town on a spur dominating noute Two, the main road to Florence. That afternoon Casciano was dive-bombed by ihe Royal Air Force, and next morning it was occupied after slight opposition. The attack put the New Zealanders in a much stronger position, and from Casciano the city of Florence was clearly visible ten miles to the north. Farther west, the Sixth Brigade and tanks advanced by day, won a bridgehead over the Pesa River, and captured the village of Cerbaia. Tanks were unable to cross there, but armoured cars and divisional cavalrv reconnoitred other crossings and tanks were got across ready to meet counter-attacks. The same day infantry and tanks of the Fourth Armoured Brigade began to move through Casciano. Heavy fighting ensued. The Sixth Brigade advanced on the night of July 27 and captured high ground beyond Cerba'ia. This success caused violent enemy reaction, as the whole of the enemy’s position south of Florence was threatened. Strong counter-attacks against the Sixth Brigade continued throughout July 28, the Germans throwing in their best troops, supported by Tiger tanks. Communications were cut and for a long time the situation was obscure. Then messages came through stating that the New Zealanders were holding firmly, also asking for more ammunition. The division was in a difficult position, as thd village of San Michele, on a ridge on the left flank, dominated the New Zealanders’ positions, and before further progress could be made it was necessary to capture the village. Struggle for San Michele The village was taken the same night by frontal attack. In the evening the enemy launched a strong surprise attack on San Michele with tanks and lorry-borne infantry. They got into San Michele before the defence activity of the guns could bear, and tanks were reported south of San Michele, but the infantry were repulsed. The New Zealanders sent fresh tanks and infantry into coun-ter-attacks in the early morning, and San Michele was cleared of the enemy. Our infantry had held on in demolished buildings, although Tiger tanks had possession of the streets. By the night of July 30 the last high ground in front of Florence was taken, and the following night the Maoris and tanks got close to the top of the ridge. They held on there through August 1, and that night all three brigades attacked. The Fifth Brigade, on the right, was heavily counter-attacked and unable to gain ground, but came forward on the night of August 2. During August 3 tanks and the Fourth Armoured Brigade drove in the last enemy rearguards before Florence, who withdrew across the river, blowing up bridges behind them. Tributes to Troops General Freyberg quoted messages he had received from General Kirk-. man, commander of the Thirteenth Corps, and General Leese, commander of the Eighth Army. General Kirkman stated: “Now that we have entered Florence, I should like to say how much the Thirteenth Corps owe to the Second New Zealand Division during its recent fighting in the battles of Arezzo and Florence. Your troops, as always, fought magnificently and gave us the extra punch that was necessary to eject the enemy from his chosen positions in the very difficult country south of the river Arno. The Second New Zealand Division has undoubtedly inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy, and I congratulate all ranks on their great successes.”

General Leese’s message was: “I must write thanking your division for their great achievement in gaining the high ground before Florence, to which our present success is so largely due. The spirit and endurance in their gallant attack against determined opposition, their steadfastness under repeated counterattacks and heavy shell and mortar fire, were beyond praise. This is

more noteworthy after their hard fight earlier before Arezzo. Recent lights of the New Zealanders will have added to the pride which their people at home feel in the division, and to the laurels already won in Greece, Crete and in the African campaign. My best thanks to all, to your staff and brigade commanders, and all my best wishes,”