Post by Diarist on Mar 26, 2016 18:55:33 GMT 1
The 20th Bregalnicka Infantry Division has reached the Adriatic Sea north of Trieste in the vicinity of Sezana. The 13th Hercegovacka Infantry Division on its left flank continued its advance towards Trieste and reached the outskirts of the city just before midday. A brigade-sized battle group from the 20th advanced northwest along the coast where it met forward elements of the Italian X Infantry Bde. It's orders were to dig in and block Italian forces from reaching Trieste which with naval gunfire support was easily achieved.
South of Trieste the I Army Corps had made good progress. The 1st Konjica Division was already in Pola, also with support from the Royal Navy. The 17th and 22nd Divisions were approaching the outskirts of Trieste from the southeast. Unlike in Piedmont the Italian forces in Trieste, upon hearing the news of Mussolini's removal, had no desire to surrender. Although there was no official ceasefire agreement the Italian forces facing the 20th Infantry and 2nd Konjica Divisions reduced their pressure considerably. By 1400 there was little fighting and to reduce their own casualties only artillery, supported by the Royal Navy, continued the assault on Trieste. Even that ceased after dark.