BIG BATTLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 September 1943, Page 4

BIG BATTLE

DEVELOPING IN NAPLES REGION EIGHTH ARMY PROGRESS IN SOUTH. GENERAL EISENHOWER’S PLANS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.35 p.m.) LONDON, September 9. The Germans seem to be committed to a big battle near the Naples area,, says Reuter’s Algiers correspondent. German and Allied troops are locked in combat near the coast, but a terrific struggle is also occurring behind of the lines of both forces, which are building up strong resources of weapons and supplies of materials. The disembarkation of strong Allied forces is going ahead with all speed. Stiff fighting, is probable as the Germans appear to be bound to fight strongly to hold open a corridor for the Germans farther' south. General Montgomery’s army, 200 miles farther south in the toe of Italy, is making substantial progress. A German war reporter, broadcasting from the Berlin radio tonight, said: “Long trains carrying German soldiers and the best of our weapons are rolling into Italy through the Brenner Pass. Arms, munitions and men, including assault guns, anti-tank guns and motorised artillery are also travelling south over the Brenner Road.” A British United Press correspondent, cabling from an advanced air base in North Africa, says: “According to pilots who have returned from the invasion area the invasion fleet used for the landings near Naples is larger than the Sicily invasion fleet, in which over 3000 ships were employed.” General Eisenhower told correspondent? at an advanced Allied command post: that the Allies, in planning the offensive against Italy, decided against attacking stepping stones such as Sardinia, Corsica and Crete. He thought it better to launch an all-out invasion against the Italian mainland. General Eisenhower, on the eve of the invasion, stated: “The time will come to discontinue nibbling at islands and to hit the Germans where it hurts. I don’t believe in fighting battles to chase someone out of somewhere. Our object is to trap and smash the enemy.”