CHIUSI TAKEN

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 232, 28 June 1944, Page 5

CHIUSI TAKEN

Fifth Army Beyond Piombino GERMANS CLEARED FROM HEIGHTS (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) LONDON, June 27. Reports from Italy say that the Germans are still resisting strongly in the area ot’ Lake Trasimeno. Eighth Army troops have captured Cbiusi, south-west of Lake Trasimeno, and have pushed on north-west of the town. Fifth Army troops who captured Piombino, about 50 miles from Leghorn, have now advanced 10 miles beyond the town. American troops last night were heading for Cecina, reports the Columbia Broadcasting System’s correspondent in Italy. Latest reports say that the drive is going well and that Infantry cleared the Germans from heights immediately north of Piombino. The capture of Piombino has. given the Allies a useful port which is invaluable for the rapid transport of sea-borne supplies to the Fifth Army, which is driving ahead so rapidly that it is straining the land supply lines, says Reuter’s correspondent at Allied headquarters in Italy. The Mediterranean air forces had a busy day yesterday, their targets including an oil refinery at Trieste and objectives near Vienna. They destroyed t>s enemy planes for the loss of 36 heavy bombers and eight other plpnes. In Full Retreat.

The Allies yesterday registered major gains along the whole front iu Italy, with specially noteworthy advances in the west coastal sector, where our armour and infantry smashed through Kesselring’s delaying line, reports Reuter s correspondent from advanced headquarters. The Germans are once again in full retreat along the coast, their flight being precipitated by the fall, of hollonica. The Fifth Army in the last few days has captured another 1000 prisoners, making their total in this offensive over 24,000. , ~ The Exchange Telegraph agency s Algiers correspondent says that the Eighth Army, despite stubborn resistance, has made gains in the vicinity of Perugia, and also in’ the Lake Trasimeno area. Little change has occurred on the Adriatic sector. Our troops remain on the Chienti River line, but patrols havp crossed the river south-west of EtamacerStrong forces of escorted heavy bombers yesterday attacked railway yards at Avignon, in France, and also three bridges over the Rhone south of Avignon, the signals communication centre of Lepontet, the railway yards at Sete, and oil installations at Sete and Balaruc. Light and heavy bombers last night attacked targets in Budapest.