AT WAR WITH REICH

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 17, 15 October 1943, Page 5

AT WAR WITH REICH

Italy Makes Unique Somersault STATUS ANNOUNCED Main Aid Hoped For From Navy And Civilians ‘ (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) LONDON, October 13. A state of war exists between Italy and Germany as from 3 p.m. (G.M.T.) today. An announcement by Marshal Badoglio to this effect was handed to the German Ambassador in Madrid. The declaration stated that Italy considered herself at war against Germany because of the repeated and intensified acts of war committed by the armed forces of Germany against Italians. The Badoglio Government’s declaration of war against Germany does not mean that Italy becomes an ally or one of the United Nations, says the Press Association s diplomatic correspondent. She remains a defeated country, with the status of a co-belligerent. The declaration is a logical step by the Government, which at the outset of the armistice declarations declared it was prepared to fight with the Allies immediately their forces landed on Italian soil. Mr. Churchill has already indicated that Italy, by "working her passage,” may achieve some amelioration of the terms at the peace conference.

The main purpose of the Badoglio Government in declaring war is to rally and focus resistance against the Germans by the people, the vast majority of whom have welcomed the AngloAmerican armies as liberators. Italy’s declaration of war against Germany is the first example in this century of a nation lighting on Iboth sides in the same war. It has taken Italy.just over 27 months to complete the full circle since Mussolini stabbed France in the bac-K and joined in the war alongside Germany. A yedr ago Italian troops under FieldMarshal Rommel were facing the British at El Alamein, where 10 days later General Montgomery launched the attack that drove the Axis from North Africa. Now, organized and equipped, Italian units outside Italy have been waiting for days for the declaration to join in the battle alongside the British and Americans. Their knowledge of the present battle ground and also their services behind the lines will be of considerable value to the Allied commanders. The Italian Fleet, already voluntarily under Allied control, is reported to be prepared to throw its full weight into the battle in the Mediterranean. War-weary Army.

Little can be expected from the Italian Army, at least at present. It has no stomach left for fighting. Many thousands of Italian soldiers who were formerly part of the Axis garrison in the Balkans have 'been disarmed by their former allies, and Germany’s difficulty at present is to transport them to the Reich for slavery in the Nazi war industries. Thousands are wearily attempting to reach their homes in Italy. Many Italian politicians, soldiers and sailors have expressed a sincere desire to fight against the people they learnt to hate during the months of arrogant occupation. Marshal Badoglio declared last ■week that it was very hard to fight against the Germans because they were good soldiers, but that it was much harder to be their allies.

It is mainly to civilians that the Badoglio Government will look to implement its war declaration. The people of Italy in the Allied-occupied south so far have done little except to greet our soldiers with flowers and kisses. Now it is hoped that the resistance will stiffen throughout the country and that the people will rally to the Allies. It is hoped they will lose no opportunity for sabotage and also that they will refuse to work in war factories for the Germans and do their utmost to hamper and 'destroy the German war machine in Italy.

man occupation. Accordingly the Government undertakes here and now to give a formal assurance that at the end of the war the Italians will ibe perfects free to choose the Government which is desired for the no less important tasks of peace and reconstruction. ‘‘This undertaking has already been given, in the decree dissolving the Chamber of Fasci and Corporations in which it was stated that elections would be held four months after the end of hostilities. What-was said then is reaffirmed now. The present Government has the clearly defined task of leading the country til peace is won. With that its mandate will cease.” „ . . The Associated Press of Great Britain says that the statement was distributed to the Press through Allied headquarters and military channels, and presumably was thereby given the Allied blessing.