ACTING WITH ALLIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 October 1943, Page 3

ACTING WITH ALLIES

ITALIAN FIGHTING FORCES CONFERENCE AT MALTA. PROPOSED POLITICAL ACTION. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, September 30. General Eisenhower has conferred with Marshal Badoglio aboard H.M.S. Nelson at Malta, says an Algiers message. Those present included General Alexander, Admiral Cunningham, Air Marshal Tedder, and Messrs MacMillan and Murphy, and also Marshal Badoglio’s military, naval and air staff officers. A communique stated that the principal topic of the discussion was “the method for making the most effective Italian military effort against the common enemy, Germany.” The communique added that some units of the Italian military, air and naval forces have already been engaged actively against the Germans. The Allied headquarters later officially announced that a new Italian Government has been formed, with Marshal Badoglio at its head. General Ambrosio is chief of the general staff, General Roatta chief of the army staff, General Sandalli Minister of Air, Admiral Courten Minister of the Navy, and the Duke of Aquarone Minister of the Royal Household. The “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent says the first result of the conference between General Eisenhower and Marshal Badoglio is likely to be an Italian declaration of war on Germany. A report from the Allied headquarters says that units of the Italian Fleet as well as British battleships have engaged the Germans in the Naples offensive.

The Algiers correspondent of the “New York Times” says that with the negotiations between the Allies and Marshal Badoglio drawing to an end, it is assumed that the Allies will attempt to solidify the loyalty of the Italians to King Victor Emmanuel by presenting him as being “in a protective setting of other leaders who could attract the sympathy of liberals.” “The political picture,” the correspondent states, “shows that the Allies are about to take a major political step in Italy which is sure to draw critical attacks at home, but which the commanders believe to be best in the prosecution of the war. Italy is now described in London as a ‘co-belligerent’ of the United Nations in the fight . against Germany, but it is emphasised.that this position does not confer on her any special rights or status. On the contrary, it is taken to mean that Italy is being given a chance to ‘work her passage,’ and that final enforcement of the armistice terms will depend on how the Italians co-operate with the British and American forces.” SALERNO LOSSES BRITISH TOTAL HIGHER THAN AMERICAN. WASHINGTON, September 30. The British suffered heavier casualties at Salerno than the Americans, says the Associated Press of America, commenting on a statement by the United States Secretary of War, Mr Stimson, which revealed 3500 American casualties to September 16, while i London announcement put the British casualties at 5211 to September 20. There is no official explanation in Washington, but it is recalled that British units in the early days of the battle engaged the German armoured forces which presumably caused heavy losses. It is understood that the Allied force landing at Salerno was composed equally of British and Americans.