FANTASTIC LOSSES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 July 1943, Page 4

FANTASTIC LOSSES

SUFFERED BY THE AXIS IN STRAITS OF MESSINA. AIRBORNE TROOPS HARRYING ENEMY REAR. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, July 14. Great numbers of Axis troops and fantastic quantities of equipment are being sent to the bottom of the Messina Straits, says the Algiers radio. Airborne troops are incessantly harrying the enemy rear, destroying lines of communication, spreading confusion everywhere 'and seizing military installations. The Allied troops are less than six miles from Catania, according to reports from Berlin, says the British United Press Stockholm correspondent. Advanced Allied storm troops are moving up the coast and are reported to be even closer to Catania, the civil population of which has been largely evacuated. The Algiers radio says that although no. major enemy forces have yet been encountered, enemy columns have been observed moving south, in the direction of Catania and Gerbini. Allied tanks are in action, but have not yef engaged Axis tanks on a large scale. Another Berlin report claims that the battle for Catania has already started and that heavy fighting is going on. DENIED IN BERLIN REPORTED DEATH OF ROMMEL. (Received This Day, 11.40 a.m.) LONDON. July 14. Authoritative, circles in Berlin deny that Field Marshal Rommel has been killed.