NAPLES REVOLT

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

NAPLES REVOLT

Nazis Shift Blame For Devastation

(Received October 1, 7 p.m.) LONDON, September 30. The latest reports indicate that the people of Naples have risen in open revolt against the Germans as the Fifth Army is drawing near the city. It is signilicent that these reports emanate from German sources. The Berlin correspondent of the Stockholm newspaper “Aftonbladet’’ goes so far as to say that the evacuation of the city has already been completed “owing to the Communist revolt.” ' ■ Rome radio, broadcasting this afternoon, said: “The British Fleet at this moment is bombarding Naples.” The people of Naples are suffering their last hours of agony under the German occupation. Correspondents iu southern Italy report that the Germans have rpnewed their orgy of sacking, looting and burning, and that great fires rage in the city as the German demolition squads destroy factories, warehouses, public utilities, and works of art. Today’s German communique states: “We have thoroughly destroyed the harbour installations at Naples and have also taken the severest measures against Communist riots.” Berlin radio said: “There is widespread rioting and sabotage in Naples as a result of methodical Communist cooperation withs the Allies. Energetic measures have been carried out in order to exclude the danger of an Allied landing in co-operation with the Communists. Too Risky for Germans.

German military circles explain that the revolt in Naples arose from wellplanned co-operation between revolutionaries within the city and the Allied troops immediately south of it. babotage ou a larce scale occurred simultaneously wit.i the revolt, says the Berlin correspondent of the Stockholm newspaper "Aftonbladet.” Iu view of the proximity ot the Allied troops and the risk of a new Allied lauding nt Naples itself, the German command decided it was too risky to keep the troops inside the city. Berlin radio tonight declared: ’lhe slums behind the fashionable thoroughfares offered hideouts to the bandits, from which they nightly attacked the German soldiers aud supplies, lhey penetrated into areas which had been destroyed m the Allied air raids and sacked the belongings of bombed-out persons. When the Germans, assisted by pro-iascist Italian forces, tried to put down this threat to their rear the bandits put up barricades in the streets, blowing up numerous buildings to obtain materials lor this purpose. , , “German troops energetically attacked ‘the bandits. British and American bombers tried to intervene to stop the fighting with dive-bombing attacks; however, the bombers were unable to rescue the bandits from their fate and only caused more heavy destruction. Ihe city has suffered terribly, and large districts are iu ashes. Communist elements and also Italians loyal to Badoglio were dealt with most severely.” Appeal to People. Rome radio tonight broadcast an appeal by the commander of the German forces in Naples, which stated. Ihe traitor Badoglio has incited some of you to revolt against (he German soldiers. Do you want to fight men who have spilt their blood with your brothers on the battlefields of North Africa, Sicily ana Russia? German soldiers even now are fighting on the sacred soil of your country solely for the grandeur of Italy, together with the Italians who have remained loyal to the common cause. JDon t stab in the back your Italian and German brothers who arc carrying on the light against the barbarous enemy to defend all you hold most sacred, your honour, homes and women. . “The German soldiers will use the utmost vigour against all who attempt to impede them in the fight against the British and Americans. Therefore keep ealm ami preserve your beautiful city from complete destruction.” While the Germans accused “bandits” of destruction, the latest reports indicate that great fires are again glowing over Naples as the German demolition squads carry out systematic destruction ordeied by their high command.