GRIM CONFLICT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 September 1943, Page 3

GRIM CONFLICT

ON THE SALERNO FRONT INFLATED GERMAN CLAIMS. ALLIED REINFORCEMENTS FLOWING IN. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 10.50 a.m.) LONDON, September 14. There is every indication that the battle on the Salerno front is increasing in intensity and has reached a critical stage. At least two correspondents liken the battle to the bloody struggle on the beaches of Gallipoli in 1915. The Berlin radio is making sweeping claims, far beyond anything from the German High Command, but the latest reports from Allied headquarters give no ground for extreme pessimism. On the contrary, Reuter’s correspondent describes the struggle as one of ebb and fl,ow, and all sources emphasise that reinforcements are flowing in. The British United Press says the Germans have thrown in more armoured units in ado or die attack. The Fifth Army has lost ground in places, but the battle is still going on day and night. The Germans’ attacks are most serious, especially around Salerno. Despatches from Allied Headquarters in North Africa report that General Eisenhower is throwing in fresh reserves in the Salerno bridgehead and add: “The. Mediterranean is alive with ships and planes carrying reinforcements.” The Berlin radio this evening declared that: “The Anglo-American invasion has collapsed. The fate of the whole operation is already sealed. The greater part of the landing troops have either been killed or taken prisoner. Victory in the battle for Naples goes to German arms.” ACCOUNTED FOR NINETEEN ITALIAN SUBMARINES. AND 27 DESTROYERS. (Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.) LONDON, September 14. Nineteen Italian submarines have reached or are due to arrive at Allied ports, and 27 Italian destroyers have been accounted for, says the Algiers Allied Naval Command. “The Italian Fleet,” it adds, “is scrupulously honouring the engagement entered into by the Italian Government.”