DRIVE TO SIENA

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 233, 29 June 1944, Page 5

DRIVE TO SIENA

May Outflank Nazis To East BITTER FIGHTING (By ’Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) LONDON, June 27. The Fifth Army units driving toward Siena are threatening to outflank the Germans east and west of Lake Traslmeno who are trying to slow up the Eighth Army’s advance, states the British United Press correspondent at Allied headquarters. The Germans are fully aware pf the serious British threat to Florence, and are carrying out rearguard actions. They have P” 1 up their strongest fight in the four-mile gap between Lake Trasimeno and Chius! and are continuing to throw in very strong forces east of Lake Trasimeno. , ... The capture of Chiusi has enabled the Allied forces to reach the Chiani Valley, which is the key to the main road and railway to Florence. United States tanks are moving on Siena and hoping to cut off the German rearguards in the Chiani Valley. Keuter's correspondent says that the 1‘ ntn Army column pushing up the west coast is steadily moving toward Leghorn. » A correspondent says that the German resistance on this sector seems to be slackening, and that Allied tanks were last reported little more than 20 miles south of Siena. The coastal forces have passed through Campiglia. South-east of Campiglia the town ot Montieri was captured after bitter fighting by infantry and an armoured attack which raged for about 18 hours. Demolitions and road blocks are adding to the existing difficulties from the nature or the terrain. Montieri was reduced to a rubble by widespread demolitions intended as obstacles to tanks. Heavy Enemy Losses. Steamrolling through five miles of viciously-defended villages and country west of Lake Trasimeno, the Eighth Army, supported by tanks and plenty ot artillery, has inflicted heavy _ losses on the Germans, says the “Evening Standard” correspondent with the Eighth Army in Italy. Under orders to fight to the last man. hundreds of the enemy are lying in these fortified posts. -Meanwhile the wheatfields nearby are littered with dead. The Germans threw Panther tanks into the battle in the effort to strengthen the Gothic Line, but tney are getting badly cut up. More than 300 of the enemy were killed and 343 taken prisoner in one pocket. Our casualties were few. Two

other heavily-fortified positions yielded 120 dead and 30 prisoners. Seven German officers wearing Iron Crosses came in as prisoners. . Forward elements are five miles north and north-east of Chiusi, which was firmly retained by the Eighth Army forces after an immediate German counter-attack. Rearguard Lines. . A correspondent says that two German rearguard lines have been observed south of the Pisa-Florence-Rimini line. The first runs from San Vincenzo, on the west coast, just north of the present front, to Lake Trasimeno. The second, starting at Cecina, runs along the Cecina River and then through Volterra, Poggibonsi, and to Arezzo. Both are thought to be only temporary works intended to gain tjme for the fortification of the main mountain line. Though the Germans may gain time in this manner, however, they,are, by engaging the pursuers, losing many men whom they will badly need when it comes to making a determined stand.