NO CONFIRMATION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 July 1943, Page 3

NO CONFIRMATION

OF ENEMY EVACUATION HEAVY GERMAN LOSSES. ON CATANIAN BATTLEFRONT. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 10.5 a.tn.) LONDON, July 25. Information available in London confirms correspondents’ reports that the enemy’s main defence line now runs from Catania around Mount Etna and northwards to the coast. There is no confirmation of reports of an enemy evacuation across the straits to the Italian mainland. It is believed to be more likely that the Axis forces in the northeast corner of Sicily have been reinforced, though whether to strengthen rearguard positions and facilitate an evacuation or to gain time by preparing another “Cape Bon” is not clear. South of Catania, a correspondent writes from the Alleid North African Headquarters, fighting is fierce, and the Germans’ tremendous losses are mounting. They launch counter-attack after ccunter-attack, and have mined the approaches to the town in their best manner. Barbed wire trenches and tank traps are also plentiful, but it is doubtful, the correspondent says, whether they will be able to hold the. line once the United States Seventh Army is in contact with the Italians in northeastern Sicily.’