PALL OF SMOKE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 September 1943, Page 3

PALL OF SMOKE

HANGING OVER CITY OF NAPLES German Demolition Gangs Busy IMPORTANT COMMUNICATION CENTRE TAKEN BY EIGHTH ARMY ENEMY BEING CLEARED OUT OF CORSICA LONDON, September 22. On the Italian front, the British and American Fifth Army is on the move in the hills to the north-east and east of Salerno. The British, on the left of the line, are six miles north-east of Salerno and the Americans, further inland, are 12 miles from the town. The Germans are putting up a determined fight for the hills. A great cloud of smoke hangs over Naples, punctuated by explosions, as the German demolition gangs do their best to make the city useless. Enemy positions and communications in the rear of the battle area are under heavy air attack. Fifty miles inland, the Eighth Army has taken the town of Potenza, an important communication centre, the meeting place of several roads and three railways. It is the most important communication centre in Southern Italy. The North-West African Air Force has been strengthened by a powerful formation of American Liberators from England. They began their operations by dealing two shattering blows against the enemy, with raids on Leghorn, in Italy, and on Bastia, in north-eastern Corsica. Both places are probable escape routes for the Germans in Corsica. The French High Command states that French forces, assisted by United States units, are driving the Germans towards the north-eastern corner of Corsica. A. thousand Germans have been killed-