AGAINST STIFFER AXIS RESISTANCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 July 1943, Page 3

AGAINST STIFFER AXIS RESISTANCE

Made by Allied Armies in Sicily ADVANCE ON THE CATANIAN PLAIN STRONG GERMAN COUNTER-ATTACK REPELLED Allied forces in Sicily are still advancing all along the line, in face of stiffer Axis resistance. There was heavy fighting yesterday in the east, where the Eighth Army advanced some miles along the coast road from , Augusta towards the hills covering the plains of Catania. The vital thing at the moment is to get through these hills. The Axis is in some strength ahead, with tanks and guns. The enemy hopes to hold the Allies on a line running through the hills. Early yesterday morning first-class German troops launched a heavy counter-attack, which reached the port of Augusta and isolated Allied troops. The enemy was driven out again and the naval base is now firmly in Allied hands. Allied troops are continuing their advance. On the central front, British, Canadian and American troops are fighting in the hills north of Eagusa. In the west the Americans are threatening Axis lines of communication in the interior of the island. The train ferry at Messina has been repeatedly attacked by air in the past 36 hours. On Tuesday night an all-Canadian force bombed the area and in daylight a force of nearly 200 bombers, including Flying Fortresses, and later 75 Liberator bombers, added to the destruction. According to the Italians, the same target was raided yet again last night. It is unusual for the official statement to claim very great damage but these, are the words used to describe what happened at Messina yesterday.