IN SUBURBS OF PERUGIA

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 225, 20 June 1944, Page 5

IN SUBURBS OF PERUGIA

Eighth Army Progress HEAVY RAIN HAMPERS ALLIES

(By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) LONDON, June 19. Heavy rain has hampered the Allies on all fronts in Italy, but one report says that the Eighth Army has entered the suburbs of Perugia, 129 miles north of Rome. Assisi, south-east of Perugia, has been taken. To the west the Fifth Army has taken an important defence position. On the coastal sector the Allies are now 10 miles north of Grossetto. A correspondent in Italy says that the whole front has been going. ahead with remarkably good speed considering that our men are advancing against a still resisting enemy. The Germans have abandoned or blown up many of their vehicles and guns and are using more and more horses. The Germans retreating, before the Eighth Army are hastily firing massed equipment which is smouldering along the roadsides, reports Reuter’s correspondent. One of the most important items of booty so far taken is a 70-ton self-propelled Ferdinand gun, the largest of all the Germans’ armoured equipment and the first which the Eighth Army has captured.

The weather cut down air operations on Saturday.'’ American and Allied aircraft flew about 1000 sorties and lost three aircraft. There were more offensive sweeps over- the battle area in Italy and in Yugoslavia, as well as attacks by fighter-bombers on the island of Elba in support of the French troops ashore there.

CAPITAL TAKEN Allies Hold Most Of Elba LONDON, June 10. The Allies now hold most of the Mediterranean island of Elba, and French troops have taken the capital. Porto Ferrajo, along with several hundred prisoners. LONDON, June 18.

The battle for Elba is proving harder than was anticipated, but we are capturing our objectives to schedule, says the British United Press correspondent at Allied headquarters in Italy. The first element: in the invasion—surprise—failed. The Germans spotted the French shock troops before they had a chance to land and laid down a continuous barrage from heavy coastal batteries and smaller guns. The original plan provided for the operation of medium bombers, but bad weather permitted the use of only light planes. The Germans so far completely lack air support. Rear-Admiral Thomas Trottbridge, R^s T .. directed the landing from a landing craft.