Evening star., 1944-06-22
Allied Units 3 Miles
From Prize Italian
Port Of Ancona
By the Associated Press.

1s the ASSoeidLcu fIcss.
ROME, June 22.-Allied and Ital-
ian troops are within 80 miles of
Ancona, prize Italian port on the
Adriatic coast, while 9th Army
troops are approaching Camerino,
approximately IS miles east and a
little north of Perugia, Allied head
quarters announced today.
American forces to the west have
pushed on Is airline miles north
west of Grosseto. In all land opera
tions, although weather has i'm
proved, misty conditions are pre-
venting cross country movements
on a large scale. communique said.
The advance toward Ancona,
ranking next to Venice ). in port
facilities in that coastal sector, was
made by troops which have reached
Fermo, only IS airline miles below
Rimini, the eastern anchor OF the
so-called Pisa -Florence-R -Rimini line,
where the fleeing Germans may
offer stiff resistance against the
Allied drive. \
Small Gains Above Perugia.
Eight Army troops also have ap-
preached Nocero Umbra, IA miles
west of Camerino. Limited gains
were made north of the newly taken
ancient fortress city of Perueia, and
in the Lake Trasimeno area west OF
Perugia, despite strong resistance.
The Mediterranean Air Force
stepped up its activity, making 1,l00
individual plane flights in attacking
shipping in Livorno Harbor, battle
area targets and rail yard at Venti-
miglia on the Italian Riviera. There
were no losses.
The communique disclosed that in
q spirited naval engagement" in
connection with the ousting of the
Germans from Elba, light coastal
forces torpedoed three loaded enemy
lighters attempting to evacuate
troops, and possibly sank fourth.
In another engagement single
enemy lighter was sunk.
(The Berlin radio said German
troops were evacuated from the
island of Pianosa, south of Elba,
and the island of Palmajola, be- !
tween the mainland and Elba, at
the same time the Allies seized
Elba.)
Nazis Resist Strongly.
Eighth Army reconnaissance units
moved northeast of Perugia to No
cera Umbra on Highway 3 and the
village of MORO on Highway n,
approaching Camerino. and tu the
northwest to an old town on the
road to Umbertide, which lies about
IA miles northwest Of Perugia.
) The village of San Marco, about 2
miles northwest of Perugia, has been
occupied and British troops, fight
ing over the country where Han
nibal waged the battle of Trasimeno,
are only miles from the last lake
shore town of Magione.
The Germans are resisting strong
ly on the west and southwest sides
Of Lake Trasimeno, where the 9Th
Army Is driving on Castiglione del
Lago, principal town on the west
shore Of the lake The villagers OF
Villa Strada and San Fatucchio,
southwest of the lake, were taken
after some fighting The Germans
infiltrated into the town of Chiusi,
farther to the southwest, and fight
ing followed.
Along the entire 9Th Army front
the Germans were developing major
delaying action, using increased
artillery and mortar ire. T.
French troops Of the 5th Army,
advancing over ragged, muddy coun-
try. cleared the enemy Of several
more villages, including Poggio
Ucello and Montenero, in the fight
ing area between the 9th Army and
the Americans of the 5th, to the
west.
The Americans occupied Paganico,
on the river Ombrone, about IA miles
northeast of Grosseto.