The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Tuesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY, MAY 4, 1945 THE FINAL PHASES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 70, 4 May 1945, Page 4

The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Tuesdays and Fridays. FRIDAY, MAY 4, 1945 THE FINAL PHASES

ARMISTICE which brings to an end the bitter fighting* in Italy and in Southern Austria has been declared. This dramatic announcement which was broadcast to the world yesterday, seals a chapter in the present war which was commenced four and a half years ago on the outpost of Fort Cupuceo when the first Italian divisions set up the tentative invasion of Libya. Behind the armistice lies a story as dramatic as ever history has revealed, with particular interest for New Zealanders for it is inter-related with both the Greek and the Cretan campaigns of glorious memory. It was not the stalemate of the fighting, nor yet the dog's death of Mussolini which dictated the sudden collapse of the German defensive ring in Northern Italy. It was rather the dogged characteristics of the determined British and American troops in their follow up from the very gates of Alexandria, which has brought the final victory and forced the armies of the oppresser to sue for unconditional peace. Let us see what lies behind the peace which now reigns in war-ravaged Italy. In 1940, Mussolini gave out this fateful broadcast to his people when the bombing of London was at its height —'I sought and obtained permission to participate in the bombing of Eng* land; that Italian arms might be utilised in the forces which are combining to overthrow and humble a tyrant nation.' Those were costly words as history can now reveal, but the melancholy story could not then be perceived by the Italian masses, who drunk with the success of the treacherous conquests of Albania and of Abyssinia were then cheering on their legions engaged t in the invasion of pros--trate France. Tens of thousands of Mussolini's boasted six million bayonets, were poured into Tripoli and the Italian outposts in the Libyan desert began to bristle with armament. From Sidi Barrani the first assault across border was attempted with disastrous results despite the ill-equip ■ ped defenders of Egypt under General Wavell. The desert army was however beginning to build up its first claims to fame, and under a popular commander, British, South Africans, Free French, Australian and New Zealand divisions defeated again and again the Italian armies under Generals Soddu, Badoglio and Vecchi. It was not until Hitler appointed the celebrated Rommel to the North African command over a united German-Italio force that the issue was in any way in doubt. Brilliant victories fell to each side in the see-war war which now commenced across the barren wastes of the desert. The tide was finally turned when Montgomery presented to the world the famous 'Bth' or Desert Rats. With this force Rommel was hurled back along his two thousand miles of advance. Town by town was captured in the .irrestible rush across the desert, and the race was not to terminate until with the help of sea-born American divisions the conquest of Tunisia was completed and the mass surrender-of the German army took place at Cape Bonn. From thence to Sicily, with the Desert Rats ever in the van. Mussolini's empire was crumbling fast as the restless armies of Democracy and Freedom completed their Sicilian conquest and proceeded to cross the straits of Messina and undertake the invasion, of Italy herself, via the celebrated 'toe.' It was with German arms that the invaders had to reckon, rather than Italian, for the inhabitants on the whole came to regard the Allied armies as deliverers, and co-operated to the greatest degree. At Cassino and Salerno River the: advance was checked substantially by dogged resistance, but remorselessly the Allied forces pressed forward taking the capital in their stride, and all the major towns about the waist of the peninsula. After wintering in the north a month ago under General Sir Mark Clark, the great advance was commenced which was to seal the doom of Naziism in Italy. Everywhere the Allied armies crashed through the German defences. Yesterday the Yugoslav partisan's under the romantic Tito linked forces with the New Zealand Division. It was an historic occasion for shortly afterwards can the news of the armistice. Flags flew throughout the. Dominion yesterday, but the dominant note was not one of mad rejoicing but rather of sober recollections and memory for those who will not return, and who gave their all in the then uncertain struggle which has ended so gloriously.

Dog Registration v In his report to the Whakatane County Council at its last the County Mr A. Carling, stated that 512 dogs had been registered during April, the total fees paid into the office amounting to £92 18.s 6d. Ranging, and Impounding According to the County Inspector's' report to the Whakatane County Council at its last meeting seven cows one bull and one horse were impounded or removed from County during April. Pound fees collected amounted to £5 9s.

Bowling Club's Junior Stars In the Junior Stars competition conducted by the Whakatane Bowling Club R.* Stewart and J. ThompS son recently defeated W. Compton and P. Smoljan by 23 points to 15. Dunstan's Drainage [n his report to the Whakatane County Council at its last meeting, the Engineer Mr C. H. stated that the half cost of the above proposed work had been paid in by the settlers concerneri and the preparatory work of drainage had been put in hand.