ITALIAN MORALE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 July 1943, Page 3

ITALIAN MORALE

SAID TO BE FAIRLY GOOD DETESTATION OF GERMANS. FOOD SHORTAGE BECOMING MORE SERIOUS. (Bv Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) LONDON. July 11. It cannot be doubted that the Italians will fight bravely, and with the utmost determination in the defence of Sicily and, if and when the time comes, in the defence of their mainland, says the Press Association s diplomatic writer. The latest reports indicate that the Italian morale is fairly good. There has been some slight disaffection in the bombed areas, but even this is certain to disappear now that the Allies have landed on Italian soil in Europe. There have been many purges in certain sections of the Fascist Party designed to give it a firmer hand over the population. The Italian Royal family has also been brought into the limelight in the last few months with the obvious object of increasing patriotic fervour in the face of the invasion threat.,

Though the threat of increased German control of Italy has become on the surface less apparent, the Italian detestation of all things German has not decreased. Steps were taken, for instance, to ensure that German officers in Italy wore civilian clothes. The food situation in Italy is not good, and the military operations are likely to increase the shortages . JOY IN MALTA RECOMPENSE FOR ORDEAL OF BOMBING. (By Telegraph— Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, July 10. Following upon the news of the invasion of Sicily, thousands of people have thronged the streets' of Valetta listening to loud speakers for the latest news flashes. The Maltese regard the Italians’ predicament as recompense for what Malta suffered from the Axis bombs.