TRIPLE DRIVE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 July 1943, Page 3

TRIPLE DRIVE

WITH TANK & AIR SUPPORT made by the allies ON PALERMO. ATTACK ON WITHDRAWING ENEMY FORCES. ' (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) (Received This Day, 1-25 p.m.) LONDON, July 23. Reuter's Algiers correspondent says the Allies made a triple thrust to Palermo. Tanks were used on a large scale and heavy support from the air was provided. The Allied spearhead, headed by armoured units, went directly into Palermo from the southwest A second column moved to the city from the south. From, the southeast a third column was flung northward against the enemy forces withdrawing from Palermo north-eastward. According to the Algiers radio, a considerable amount of enemy shipping was captured in Palermo. “The Times” military correspondent says that now Palermo has fallen, the conquest of all Sicily except the northcast corner is a matter of cleaning up. German comment does not suggest a prolonged defence of any part of Sicily, but merely a determination to hold up the Allies as long as possible.

EIGHTH ARMY

BRIDGEHEAD WIDENED IN HARD FIGHTING ON APPROACH TO CATANIA. VALUE OF PALERMO TO ALLIES. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, July 23. The Algiers radio says the Italian 26th Division has surrendered and adds: “Western Sicily is in our hands. All organised resistance has collapsed. The American advanced forces who occupied Palermo met little resistance as they moved rapidly northward. Palermo was the last big stronghold of the Italians in the west." Savage fighting is proceeding for Catania, where the Eighth Army had widened its bridgehead across the river protecting the town. The Germans are suffering very heavy casualties. Vast minefields are hampering the movements of the Eighth Army. A correspondent reports that German prisoners taken in the Catania area are extremely arrogant and fanatical Nazis. The fact that tough troops of this type have been sent into eastern Sicily indicates that the enemy intends to hang on there as long as possible. It is officially estimated that by the capture of Palermo between 30,000 and 45,000 Italians have been trapped in the western half of Sicily. Italian prisoners, who make no secret their satisfaction at being out of the war, state that many of their officers deserted them and are now in hiding in civilian clothes. The Italians in Palermo complain that the only contribution made to their defence by the’ltalian Navy was to send a few speedboats, bv which high naval officers es-

Italian prisoners, who make no secret their satisfaction at being out of the war, state that many of their officers deserted them and are now in hiding in civilian clothes. The Italians in Palermo complain that the only contribution made to their defence by the’ltalian Navy was to send a few speedboats, by which high naval officers escaped. Admiral Leo Eardo Priato, who commanded the Italian fleet at Augusta, was not included in these and has been captured. The Americans had captured 27,000 prisoners up to midnight on Tuesday, before their rapid advance to the west commenced. Palermo Harbour can accommodate ships up to 600 feet in length and 28 feet draught. It has 30 feet of water at its quays and can handle 4,000 tons of cargo daily. Its facilities will be of the greatest use to the; Allies. There also is dry-dock accommodation for ships up to 650 feet in length.

NAZIS OUTBLITZED RECORD OF AMERICAN TROOPS IN SICILY. LONDON. July 23. The Americans were now “out'blitzing” the military machine which invented the blitz, said Lieutenant-Gen-eral Patton, commander of the Seventh Army The Americans, he stated, had captured 25.800 prisoners, and the enemy casualties were estimated at 32.000 The Seventh Army had knocked out 84 tanks, including 14 Tigers, and captured at least 248 guns. 446 vehicles, 400 tons of fuel, and 10,500.000 rounds of ammunition and destroyed 160 planes. The figures given were conservative.

General Patton praised the Allied air forces for keeping down the American losses from enemy planes.