John Proudfoot, commentator with the war time National Broadcasting Service Mobile Unit in Italy, sends a despatch from the Senio river area.
In this report [sent via the BBC] John Proudfoot summarises the previous
two months. All Allied activities had to halted because of bad winter
weather conditions.
In March the men moved to the hillier region of Fabriano for a rest period, which they enjoyed. Major General Kippenberger and Mr W.J. Jordan, the New Zealand High Commissioner in London visited the men there.
Then over the recent Easter weekend the division moved forward under extremely strict security measures. Troops of the 24th, 21st ad Māori Battalions have distinguished themselves in actions on the Senio River stopbank.
The evening prior to the recording of this talk, 9 April 1945, the sun set in a cloud of dust stirred up by the bombing and shelling of enemy positions
across the Senio river. This was the heaviest attck of the Italian campaign.
At zero hour flame-throwing tanks fired streams of fire at enemy positions and then the infantry attacked across the river. Resistance was weak initially but stiffened later in the morning.
All formations were on their objectives and over 600 enemy prisoners
were taken.