THIRD OF SICILY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 July 1943, Page 3

THIRD OF SICILY

NOW IN ALLIED HANDS FIGHT FOR VITAL AIRFIELDS. ENEMY REINFORCEMENTS POURED IN. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, RUGBY, July 18. One-third of Sicily is now in Allied hands, according to afternoon Press messages from North African Headquarters, and in the last 24 hours the Allies have advanced in every sector. A considerable battle is believed to be taking place on the northern part of the Plain of Catania. The enemy are resisting strongly and the latest reports are of very bitter fighting just south of Catania. The great prize is a chain of airfields from which all Eastern Sicily can be dominated. Long-range guns in the hills to the south may have the aerodromes under fire. Hundreds of truck-loads of enemy infantry have been seen pouring down into the northern part of the plain from the slopes around Mount Etna. Whoever controls the Gerbini airfields certainly controls the eastern half, which is the vital half of Sicily, and is in a fair way to set up an effective blockade of the western half.