DRIVE ON MESSINA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 July 1943, Page 4

DRIVE ON MESSINA

MAY CUT OFF GERMAN RETREAT NAVAL ACTION ALSO POSSIBLE AGAINST ENEMY FLANK. SURVEY OF BATTLE OUTLOOK. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) (Received This Day, 10.45 a.m.) LONDON July 26. A rapid swing eastward and north eastward by the American and Canadian spearheads, in the direction of the northern sector of the enemy defence line projecting from the Messina bridgehead now threatens the whole of the Axis dispositions with a vast encircling movement. Reuter’s correspondent at Allied Headquarters says a drive to Messina would isolate the Germans and cut them off completely from their line of retreat. There are 3i German divisions, and the equivalent of three Italian divisions, totalling 80,000 men, defending the Messina bridgehead. The Canadians who are at grips with the 15th Panzer Division, are fighting towards the Mt. Etna defence line against bitter and sustained counter-attacks. The Americans today captured Termini, 20 miles east of Palermo. Reports from the Eighth Army front indicate that the intensity of the fighting has diminishCd EIGHTH ARMY SWITCH. The Berlin radio reports that General Montgomery has switched part of his troops outside Catania to the American column. Reuter points out that this movement is similar to that in the last stages of the fighting for Tunisia, when Eighth Army detachments were rushed overland to the First Army and the Americans for the final thrust against Tunis. The British United Press says Axis prisoners include ten Italian generals and two admirals.

Mr Drew Middleton, “New York Times” correspondent in North Africa says the Etna line, linking San Stefano with Catania, will have both Hanks anchored to the sea, which is not so fortunate for the enemy. "The British fleet,'’ he adds, “has demonstrated the ease with which it can operate on the Axis flank, and indications are that the flank can be turned. However there are prospects of a check to the Allied advance if the enemy can fortify the northern sector of the line as strongly as Catania. The country is exceedingly rough and the enemy have the advantage of superior artillery observation and emplacement. The battle might develop into a series of prolonged sieges of various hilltop positions.” Allied troops advancing along the north coast of Sicily have occupied Cafalu, 20 miles west of San Stefano, says the Algiers radio. The fate of the German troops in Sicily depends on two railway lines, the radio adds. Ono line leads to France, through Genoa and Rome. The other runs through Bologna, to Austria. The Germans brought troops to Sicily across these lines and will attempt to get them along the same two lines when the situation in Sicily becomes untenable.

The latest reports suggest that German reinforcements are still coming to Sicily and the enemy is digging in, constructing road blocks and laying minefields. WELL SATISFIED WITH PROGRESS IN SICILY. GENERAL MONTGOMERY.

(Received This Day, 1.10- p.m.) LONDON, July 26

General Montgomery is quoted by the Algiers radio, as saying that he was very well satisfied with the progress of military operations in Sicily. He added: “Sicily is fed up with the Fascists and Nazis.

The Sicilian population is now working for us on the railways and elsewhere and is pleased to do so.”