SEVERE FIGHTING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 May 1943, Page 3

SEVERE FIGHTING

IN CENTRAL & SOUTH-WEST YUGOSLAVIA REPORTED TO GOVERNMENT IN LONDON. SOME ITALIANS REPLACED BY GERMANS. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, May 22. Severe fighting is raging over a large part of central and south-western Yugoslavia-Bosnia and Montenegro—according to the latest information reaching the Yugoslav Government in London. Several Italian and German divisions are operating against the patriots, and the Luftwaffe is dropping leaflets asking the population not to resist the Axis troops. This is the first time Germans have been employed in Montenegro, which so far has been exclusively under Italian military control. One area of Montenegro is now exclusively controlled by the Germans. The ' fighting has been particularly heavy recently. In the southern part of Montenegro patriot forces still have the initiative, and advanced elements have reached the main Italian-garrison-ed centre in Montenegro. During this operation one Italian garrison was completely destroyed. The enemy had been asked to surrender but refused, and therefore a night' attack was ordered, in which 309 enemy soldiers and four 0111061’3 were killed, and the remaining 400 officers and men surrendered in the morning. The patriots captured much Avar material, including two anti-aircraft guns, two howitzers, 19 mine-throwers, five machine-guns and a large quantity of food and ammunition.

The Italians are reported to have ordered the withdrawal of some of their heavy artillery units, which are being replaced by newly-recruited German formations composed mostly of inexperienced youths.