FURTHER PROGRESS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 5 January 1945, Page 5

FURTHER PROGRESS

EIGHTH ARMY TROOPS FOUR COUNTER-ATTACKS REPULSED London, Jan. 4. Eighth Army troops north-west of Ravenna have made further progress east of Fossovecchio against strong resistance, states an Allied communique from Italy. Four determined counter-attacks were repulsed. Patrolling occurred on both sides of the Fifth Army front. The Eighth Army advance extended four miles to San Alberto. Stiff resistance was encountered from the Jaeger Division, supported by Tiger and Panther tanks and a heavy tank battle is now in progress two miles from San Alberto. Eighth Army troops have captured Conventello, north-west of Ravenna and due east of Alfonsine. which the Germans have turned into a stronghold. Alfonsine, however, is now being outflanked from San Alberto. BATTLE AREA STRAFED Very stronw forces of Tactical Air Force fighter-bombers yesterday operated against the rail and road network leading to the Italian battle area and gun positions, strongpoints and troop concentrations opposite the Fifth and Eighth Armies’ lines. Medium and light bombers bombed rail bridges and ammunition dumps and coastal air force fighter-bombers attacked German occupied buildings in north-western Italy. Balkan Air Force medium and fighterbombers attacked rail and harbour installations ii\ Yugoslavia. Fighter and light bombers flew intruder and armed reconnaissance missions in northern Italy on the night of January 2. From these operations nine of our aircraft are missing. The Allies flew about 1300 sorties.