OMINOUS THREAT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 247, 29 July 1943, Page 3

OMINOUS THREAT.

AXIS DEFENCES LINES IN SICILY. RUSH INC UP REINFORCEMENTS. LONDON, July 27. The threat to the Axis defence lino in Sicily lias become ominous, accoidjng to Reuter’s correspondent at Algiers. Ho says: “The Americans are sweeping along the coastal highway toward Messina, the Canadians are striking north-east. In the centre the Stli Army is steadily pounding the approaches to Catania.” The British United Press correspondent at Algiers says that the last battle for tiie remaining Axis-held portion of Sicily scorns likely to begin at any moment. The position at the front js: There are fierce artillery duels in iho extreme south-east, where the Germans still hold considerable bridgeheads covering Catania. Preparations for the main battle appear to he continuing. The fiercest fighting is going on farther north, where the Canadians were last reported to he rouglitly 12 miles north-east of Enna. They have apparently, by-passed Loonforte, leaving them only about 10 miles from Regalbnto, where the Axis is expected to make ai major stand. Regalbnto is also the junction of two parts of the Axis line, that on the south manned by the Germans and that on the north by the Italians. The Americans on the north coast are making one of their speediest advances thus far. Another advance of 30 miles beyond Cofalu will bring them against wliat is likely to he the main Axis defence positions on the coast—those in the neighbourhood of Santa Agata. The British United Press correspondent with the Bth Amy, writing from Catania Plain on Sunday, said: “The Germans are still rushing reinforcements to Sicily. Gliders are putting down on the flat little plateaux and fields while lighters are bringing troops into coves and beaches on the north coast. Many reinforcements are forced units hastily mobilised from German troops in cities like Naples, Reggio di Calabria, and Brindisi. The Axis, despite reinforcements, appears to ho preparing for a. major delaying action rather than a big defensive stand, and is taking advantage of the comprativo lull to blow up bridges, culverts and river crossings before the line which it is preparing around Etna. The Axis forward units arc busy building trenches and now gun positions and laving extensive minefields.