MUCH DETERIORATED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 August 1943, Page 3

MUCH DETERIORATED

POSITION OF GERMANS IN SICILY RESULTS OF LATEST FIGHTING SUCCESSFUL AMERICAN LANDING. CAPTURE OF COMMANDING ARTILLERY POSITIONS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.)) RUGBY, August 9. The Algiers radio states that the position of the Germans in Sicily has considerably deteriorated since yesterday. The only road open for their escape, leading north-east, is under constant? fire from Allied artillery. It was stated at Allied headquarters today that a certain slowing down of operations must be expected, in view of the difficulties

of the ground. The capture of Acireale brings General Montgomery’s forces within ten miles of Giarre, which is half-way to Port Taormina, a former enemy headquarters, which was wiped out on the eve of the invasion. Cesaro, also captured, lies nearly 10 miles north-east of Troina. The main road from the north coast passed through Cesaro, from which there is a good road running east to Randazzo, a key town on the north-west corner of Mount Etna. From this road the present Allied line then runs approximately slightly north of Bronte and Aderno, through San Maria Di Licodia (18 miles north-west of Catania, between Paterno and Aderno).

Yesterday there was heavy fighting all along the front in an attempt to squeeze the Germans out of the foothills in Eastern Sicily, says a correspondent at Allied headquarters in North Africa. After the successful landing by the Seventh Army in the rear of the German Army, they captured San Fretello, a town standing on heights, from which the sector can be commanded by artillery. This daring exploit resulted in considerable confusion among the German troops, belonging probably to the Forty-Ninth Armoured Division, who were ipoving up in motor transport. Some 300 of them were captured before reinforcements, advancing westwards, began to retreat hurriedly. The Germans are making a desperate effort in that part of the battlefield. They are still fighting fiercely in very rugged country, but there are indications that their morale is not so high as it has been. It is possible that they appreciate that they cannot hold out continuously in Sicily. The Eighth Army is now eight miles north and north-west of Catania, and, while there are no indications as yet that the German army is split, the enemy is making desperate efforts to hold the vital coast roads north of Mount Etna. In that area the Americans are subjecting the Axis positions to heavy artillery fire.