NAZIS GIVING UP NAPLES

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 6, 2 October 1943, Page 5

NAZIS GIVING UP NAPLES

Allied Tanks In Outskirts

(By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyrlgh’. >

(Received October 1, 11.15 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 1. American tanks entered the outskirts of Naples last night, as the beaten German forces streamed northward from the burning city to a new defence line just before Rome. Vichy radio declared: “Naples is no longer inside the German defence line in southern Italy.” . Earlier reports from the Allied headquarters stated that British armoured columns were closing in on Naples from the south and south-east. Reuter’s correspondent at the Allied headquarters reported that tank and motorized infantry spearheads of the Fifth Army were thrusting relentlessly round the slopes of Vesuvius. The last official news was that our troops were only a few miles from the city, and it is possible they are now fighting in the suburbs.

The Germans withdrew from Pompeii in good order under cover of rearguards. Warm weather has replaced the rain, and the troops have pushed forward in the face of accurate German fire and minefields and demolitions.

Writing last night, a correspondent with the Fifth Army, said that the momentum of the advance across the plain was being well maintained. ‘’Tonight,” he added, “our patrols are not many miles from Naples on the coast road. They arc meeting with no sustained resistance, hut occasional isolated enemy pockets are-being mopped up.” The correspondent emphasizes the great weight of Allied arms now streaming across the plain. Cairo radio reported the occupation of, a town on the coast 10 miles south of Naples. The Eighth Army is still moving forward on the right flank. A correspon-

dent says it is nearly a week since it has met with any artillery fire. Developments in Italy are described at Allied headquarters as "most satisfactory.” „ Algiers radio said that the Germans have begun a general retreat along a front of 00 miles. The Allies’ right wing has reached a point about seven and a half miles from Avellino.