GOOD BEGINNING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 July 1943, Page 3

GOOD BEGINNING

ALLIED OFFICIAL REPORTS SUCCESS CF LANDINGS ASSURED. e FEW ENEMY AIRFIELDS ' IN USE. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, July 10. It was officially announced in London at 6.33 a.m. today that the Allies had landed in Sicily. A communique from General Eisenhower’s headquarters, after reporting the opening of the invasion, stated: “The operations began early this morning, preceded by naval and air bombardment.” The success of the landing operations was announced in a special communique which was issued in Algiers tonight. The full text reads: “In spite of unfavourable weather conditions and a swell in the Sicilian Channel, the first Allied landings in Sicily, which started before dawn, proceeded according to plan. The many beaches and landing places which were used for these operations extended over a distance of about 100 miles. By about 6 a.m., under heavy fire from a covering force of cruisers, destroyers, gunboats and other naval units, enemy opposition was checked and the success of all the landings was fully assured. “By about 7.30 a.m. our troops were advancing, and artillery was being put ashore. Fighting continues, while more troops with guns, vehicles, stores and equipment are being landed by the Royal and United States Navies. Units of the Indian, Dutch, Polish and Greek Navies are participating in the naval operations.” A separate communique reported continuing Allied air attacks. It stated: “In addition to attacks on the few aerodromes still being used by the enemy, our heavy, medium and fighter bombers attacked roads and communications throughout Sicily. The air operations are proceeding according to plan.” In a second dispatch for the Combined British Press, an Algiers correspondent says: “The successful landing, without serious loss, of big Allied forces on the beaches of Sicily, is another great tribute to the combined staffs and services under General Eisenhower. "Some time before the successful conclusion of the Tunisian campaign, planning began for the invasion of Sicily by the various British and American naval, military and air force experts, at the Allied force headquarters. The fact that the Allies have been able to launch an attack of this size less than two months after the end of the Tunisian campaign gives some indication of the excellent planning.”