EIGHTH ARMY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 July 1943, Page 4

EIGHTH ARMY

THRUSTING INTO DEFENCES • OF CATANIA SLOW BUT STEADY PROGRESS AXIS ON ALL OTHER FRONTS RETREATING. BIG WESTERN TOWNS LEFT TO THEIR FATE. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day. 1.0 p.m.) LONDON, July 21. The Axis forces in Sicily are still clinging doggedly to the key port of Catania, but elsewhere they appear to be in full retreat. The evacuation of Enna, the junction of a vital network of roads and railways, is admitted in an Italian communique and apparently the important western towns of Palermo, Trapani and Marsla have been left to their fate. Italian prisoners taken by the American Seventh Army in the central sector say the Germans took all their available transport and are convinced their allies are on their way out of the island. More than 42,000 Axis prisoners have been taken and the number is growing hourly. The occupation of Enna by the Americans and Canadians is reported to have cut off considerable numbers of Germans and Italians in the south. Axis troops in the west who have not yet been cut off are reported to be moving east along the north coast road from Palermo, the only road now open to them. The desperate fighting on the outskirts of Catania shows no signs of abating, says the “Daily Telegraph s correspondent at Allied Headquarters. The Eighth Army has gained a little more .ground, but with the Germans throwing in everything they have for the defence of this keypoint,- gains are now a matter of yards. General Montgomery’s advanced troops, in fighting back waves of Axis infantry and armour, have taken advantage of each Axis recoil to push steadily forward, thus taking the next counter-thrust on slightly more advanced territory. The battle for Catania Is rapidly becoming a battle for Sicily, with everything hinging on the outcome. The only other strong Axis opposition is being encountered by the Canadians, on the left flank of the spearhead thrusting up the east coast. The Canadians are fighting their way against powerful German rearguards. Elsewhere the Axis forces seem only to be concerned with beating as hasty a retreat as possible towards the northeastern tip of the island. As the Allies increase their occupation of- Sicily, so their air attacks over the island can be reduced and aircraft freed for other duties. The ease with which they can now reach aerodromes in Southern Italy is shown by medium Mitchells bombing Monte Corvino, not once but several times during the day. Very few enemy aircraft were sighted in all these excursions over enemy ter. ritory. The Axis air power in Italy is still probably considerable, but certainly at the moment the enemy does not want to fight.