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Documents Relating to New Zealand's Participation in the Second World War 1939–45: Volume II
323 — General Freyberg to the Prime Minister (Cairo)2
323
General Freyberg to the Prime Minister (Cairo)2
The fall of Rome appears imminent and everything is going well.
After pushing the enemy back north of Sora, the axis of our advance is being switched and the plan is to pass us through farther south from Route 6 as soon as the situation allows. We will be directed on Rieti-Terni and then, if all goes well, towards the Pisa-Rimini line, east of Florence. During the next few days we will break contact here and assemble for a quick move through.
Reports from the 8th Indian Division praise the excellent work of our 18th Armoured Regiment which has been fighting under their command. They will rejoin us in the next few days.
I am preparing a short report for publication in New Zealand if desired.
2 The Prime Minister had arrived in Italy on 26 May. Accompanied by General Puttick, he visited units of the Division in the forward area and had discussions with General Freyberg. On 4 Jun he left Bari for Egypt on a visit to Base units, returned to Italy on the 8th, and left next day for the United Kingdom, via Algiers.