OF THE GERMAN FORCES IN ITALY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 September 1943, Page 3

OF THE GERMAN FORCES IN ITALY

Planned by the Allies

BRITISH AND AMERICAN LANDING IN NAPLES V AREA . EIGHTH ARMY ADVANCING IN CALABRIA ' LONDON, September 9. The Germans in Italy now face a vast Allied encirclement threatening their whole position in the southern half of the peninsula. British and American forces, in their new landingin the Naples area, are thrusting- forward and in the Calabrian Peninsula, in the south, the Eighth Army has made its most spectacular advance since its landed. A correspondent states that the greatest Anglo-American offensive of the war is now in full swing. General Eisenhower told correspondents that the Allies had decided against the taking of the stepping stones of Sardinia, Corsica and Crete, as it was considered much better to launch an attack against the Italian mainland. Their object was to smash the enemy. The first reports of the Naples landings are that the operation began well. Advanced American and British troops have already engaged the Germans defending the area and have taken German prisoners. Men, stores and supplies are being poured into the bridgehead. The American Fifth Army has gone into action for the first time. UNCEASING AIR ONSLAUGHT The air onslaught is going on night and day. Flying Fortresses made a blistering attack on the enemy’s nerve centre, the German headquarters near Rome. Heavy raids have been made against the enemy’s communications and airfields in the Foggia and Naples areas and down to the Gulf of Taranto. The enemy lost 46 planes and the Allies six. Marshal Badoglio has sent a telegram to Hitler and Tokio explaining why he had surrendered. When he took over the Government, he states, his decision was to continue to fight, as he. thought' the Allies would not be able to advance further. Italy had not the strength to resist. Her greatest towns were either destroyed or occupied, industry was at a standstill, communications paralysed and supplies exhausted, In order to avoid complete ruin, he had been compelled to ask for an armistice.