ITALY BADLY SHAKEN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 July 1943, Page 4

ITALY BADLY SHAKEN

BY PROSPECT OF MAINLAND INVASION SERIOUS INTERNAL EVENTS POSSIBLE. SURRENDER THOUGHT NOT UNLIKELY. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.15 p.m.) LONDON, July 18. Italy’s internal situation is deteriorating rapidly under the threat of an Allied invasion, says the “Sunday Express” diplomatic correspondent. It is believed that Mussolini cannot rely on the stability of the people if the Allies land. The correspondent says he understands that the Churchill-Roosevelt joint appeal to the Italians to throw off their Fascist rulers, may result in developments in the internal conditions of Italy. Information in the possession of the British and American Governments suggests that an acceptance of the surrender terms by Italy in order to avoid fighting inside the country, is not so unlikely as it might seem. Those with a close knowledge of affairs inside Italy—and the Allied Governments are well informed —believe that developments of a most dramatic kind, both military and political, cannot be ruled out. The whole aspects of the war in the Mediterranean area may change beyond recognition during the next 4 to 6 weeks. The Rome radio has announced that Signor Scorza, the General Secretary of the Fascist Party, will make an important broadcast to the Italian people tonight. The Rome radio also announced that all shops not connected with the Italian war effort are being closed. All activity in the world-famous marble quarries is being suspended, all road construction and installation work is ceasing instantly, wherever it is not vital to the war effort. All physically fit male labour between 18 and 45 years is being replaced with women.

AXIS TANK ATTACK REPELLED BY AMERICANS. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, July 18. The latest Press message from North Africa says the Americans sustained a new attack at Barrafranca, 11 miles south-east of Caltanisetta. Sixteen enemy tanks were employed. The attack was repulsed, and the Americans continue to advance. 30,000 PRISONERS TAKEN BY THE ALLIES. TO MIDNIGHT ON THURSDAY. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day. 9.40 a.m.) RUGBY, July 18. Thirty thousand Axis troops had been taken prisoner in Sicily by midnight of July 15, according to Press messages from Allied headquarters. Two-thirds' were taken by the Americans. The commander of the 207th Coastal Division, which was entirely destroyed, is General Laverqurte, who surrendered xvith his entire staff. NEW RECORD SET BY MALTA INTRUDERS. 13 ENEMY PLANES DESTROYED ON FRIDAY NIGHT. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.40 a.m.) RUGBY, July 18. A Malta message says, by destroying thirteen enemy aircraft on Friday night, intruder aircraft based on Malta achieved the highest week’s score. They were aided by a brilliant moon. Meanwhile Mosquitoes were standing guard over Southern Italy, and two of the patrol, bound for Naples, attacked railway trucks, buildings and motor transport, while others shot up schooners off the coast.