Evening star., 1944-07-05
German Resistance
Stiffens, indicating
Stand al leghorn
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
ROME, July 5.-Eighth Army
troops, converging from the
southwest and south, have
driven within S miles Of the i'm
portant communications center
of Arezzo on the road to Flor
ence, while American units on
Italy's coast have moved up to
the outskirts of RoSignano, less
than 13 miles airline from Lii
vorno Ueghorn), Allied head
quarters announced today.
Both advances were recorded
against stin German resistance and
the Nazis gave every indication they
intended to battle to retain the
valuable port Of Livorno as long as
possible.
Heavy guns situated on dominant
hills opened fire on approaching
American infantry and tanka around
Roeignano. At the same time, heavy
road movements westward were seen
behind the enemy lines, indicating
reserves we're being moved into posi-
ton. Ii
strongly supported by artillery
the Americans finally broke into the
town in strength and reinforced
their position yesterday, while north
OF the town tanks established road
blocks against expected German
ceunterattacks.
j. Artillery Knocks Out Tanks.
American artillery knocked out
two Tiger tanks during this fighting
while American tanks destroyed two
Nazi field guns and Is vehicles.
BY road the advanced troops were
only Is miles from Livorno, but an
official spokesman declared that
only slow advance could be ex-
pected.
j."Livorno itself is defended by
thick concrete pillboxes, extensive
mine fields, wire, antilanding mines
and ack-ack," he went on.
Further indications of our ap-
pToach to long-prepared enemy de-
fense lines is seen with the German
employment again of heavy 170-mm.
guns which have not been used
against the 5th Army since Rome"
in other sectors along the entire
font the Germans were being roll
Cd back steadily against the outer
tsanges of the co-called Gothic
Eme, believed to extend from the
mountains south of Rimini west
ward toward the Pisa -Livorno area
French troops moved more than
three miles north of Siena despite
fierce resistance and many mine
fields. Seven miles to the east, 9th
Army units fighting through heavy
rain captured the town of Castel-
nuova Berardegna and the villages
4 Palazzuola and Monte Sansa-
Mno astride the Sienna -Arezzo
highway.
In the drive on Arezzo the 9th
Army also occupied Castiglion, Flo
rentino and the villages of Rapo-
lama and Oliveto.
In the mountainous area farther
east the Germans fought flercely
to retain key positions needed for
safe withdrawal of main forces,
who, the Allied spokesman declared,
"Pmetimes are more eager to be
captured than to continue fighting
Zone column was still thrusting up
tie Tiber Valley toward Umbertide
and to the east slow progress was
made toward Gubbio.
The Appenine town of Cerreto, S
miles north of Matelica, was taken.
The captors caught a party of Ger
man troops looting the town.
"A Polish corps engaged in stiff
fighting in the Adriatic sector, wip-
ing out one German company north
Of Filottano.
Headquarters of Gen. Sir Harold
Alexander announced the German
command had issued an order that
roads in the battle areas must be
kept open and in good condition,
even If it involves ruthless exploita-
ton of the civilian population for
labor service"
Unsettled weather which ham,
pered ground operations in some
sectors also curtailed air operations
in Italy, but a force of up to 500
United States Fortresses and Lib
erators fought through enemy fight
erS and bombed rail and oil targets
at Brasov and Pitesti in Romania.
Out of approximately As attacking
enemy planes IA were shot down by
the bombers and escorting fighters.
Lightnings on sweep of the Ploesti
area also destroyed three JU88s.
Five Allied planes were lost.