TROOPS IN SICILY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 245, 27 July 1943, Page 3

TROOPS IN SICILY

ENCIRCLING MOVE. RAPID SWING RY THE ALLIES. (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright.) (Rec. 10.45 a.m.) LONDON, July 26. The rapid swing by the American and Canadian spearheads eastward and north-eastward in the direction of the northern sector of the enemy defence line projecting from the Messina bridgehead now threatens the whole Axis dispositions with a vast encircling movement.

Reuter’s correspondent at Allied Headquarters says that a drive to Messina would isolate the Germans and cut them off completely from thenline of retreat. There are three and a-half German divisions and the equivalent of three Italian divisions, totalling 800,000 men, defending the Messina bridgehead.

The Canadians who are at grips with the 15th Panzer Division are fighting toward the Enna defence line against bitter sustained counter-attacks. The Americans to-day captured Termini, 20 miles east of Palermo.

Reports from the Eighth Army front indicate that the intensity of the fighting there has diminished. The Berlin radio reports that General Sir* Bernard Montgomery switched part of his troops outside Catania to an American column. Reuter’s points out that this movement is similar to that in the last stages of the fighting for Tunisia, when detachments of the Sth Army were rushed overland to the Ist Army and the Americans for the final thrust against Tunis." The British United Press says that Axis prisoners include 10 Italian generals and two admirals.

- Mr Drew Middleton, the “New York Times” correspondent in North Africa, says that the Etna line, linking San Stefano with Catania, will have . both flanks anchored to the sea, which is not so fortunate for the enemy. “The British Fleet has demonstrated the ease with which it can operate on the Axis flank,” said Mr Middleton, “and the indications are that the flank can be turned. However, there are prospects of a check to the Allied advance if the enemy can fortify the northern sector of the line as strongly as Catania. The country is exceedingly rough and the enemy has the advantage of superior artillery observation and emplacement. The battle might develop into a series of prolonged sieges for various hilltop positions.” Allied troops advancing along the north coast of Sicily occupied Cefula, 20 miles west of San Stefano, says the Algiers radio.

The fate of the German troops in Sicily depends on two railway lines, states the Algiers radio. One line leads to France through Genoa and Rome,-and the other through Bologna to Austria. The Germans brought troops to Sicily across these lines and will attempt to get them along the same two lines when the situation in Sicily becomes untenable. Latest reports suggest*that German reinforcements are still coming to the island and that the enemy is digging in, constructing road blocks and laying minefields. The American 7th Army continues to collect unresisting Italians, the total so far for Sicily being 70,000. In the air bad weather has kept big bombers from going far afield, but the lighter planes have kept at communications and troops in Sicily.