MESSINA UNDER BOMBARDMENT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 August 1943, Page 3

MESSINA UNDER BOMBARDMENT

From British and American Heavy Gans GERMANS DOING THEIR UTMOST TO ESCAPE WIDE-RANGING ALLIED AIR ATTACKS CONTINUED IN FULL POWER LONDON, August 16. The Germans are doing’ all they can to,get the last of their troops out of Sicily before it is too late. The United Nations’ Algiers radio states that British and American heavy guns have opened fire on Messina. The American Seventh Army, on the north coast, has moved rapidly towards Messina and was last reported 15 miles away. The Americans have cut off the enemy’s escape port of Milazzo. On the east coast, the British Eighth Army has pushed forward beyond Taormina. The Germans have called on two Italian coastal regiments to make a last stand 15 miles from Messina. To a considerable extent, however, the Nazis are relying on extensive road blocks and minefields to gain precious hours for the escape of their troops. Allied aircraft are making ceaseless attacks on the enemy’s communications, evacuation beaches and boats. Attacks on the mainland range from roads and railways in the toe of Italy to a communications centre’4o miles north of Rome.