FIRST BIG SICILIAN BATTLE APPROACHING

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 164, 13 July 1943, Page 3

FIRST BIG SICILIAN BATTLE APPROACHING

TANKS RUSH ONWARD Mackenzie King Says Most Critical Period Ahead N.Z. Press Association—Copyright Rec. noon. LONDON, July 12. Following the dramatic announcement from Allied Headquarters this afternoon that our invading forces in Sicily had captured 10 major ports and towns, Reuters military correspondent says the success of the Sicilian operation is assured. In Ottawa the Prime Minister, Mr. Mackenzie King, told the Canadian House of Commons that the first critical period in the invasion of Sicily had passed, but the most critical period was to come. Sicily was only one small bridgehead, and there must be many others before the battle was even begun. The number of Canadians engaged was substantial. "The battle for Europe has now been joined," he said. "It must be fought to a finish." Opposing Tanks Move Forward Reuters Algiers correspondent says the first big battle of the Sicilian campaign is approaching. Streams of enemy vehicles, though badly mauled by incessant air attacks, are moving forward for a clash with the Allied heavy tanks which are moving well inland from a string of coastal towns, including the great port of Syracuse, now in Allied hands. The Allied tanks are pressing on across the Sicilian hinterland to meet the enemy reinforcements which are coming down from the north.

The Allied advance continues on all sectors of the 100-mile front and the south-east corner of Sicily is firmly held. Artillery duels are being fought out on the hinterland front ? It is revealed that the British Eighth Army is holding the right of the Allied invasion line, while men of the American Seventh Army are holding the left. Between them are Canadians, who took a big part in the capture of Pachino Peninsula. The enemy is hitting back strongly against these forces, Reuters correspondent states. Seven Strong Counter-Attacks Seven powerful counter-attacks have been made in the past 24 hours against the Allies' extended front. The heaviest counter-blow was directed against the centre of the American sector at Gela. The attacking force, which included 45 tanks and a considerable body of infantry, was completely repulsed. The Axis Command is believed- to be making preparations for an all-out stand in eastern Sicily, where Allied tanks and enemy reinforcements are now coming together. Considerable enemy movements have been observed from western Sicily towards Agrigento, which is just inland from Porto Empedocle and approximately 20 miles from Licata. ■ The correspondent of Columbia Broadcasting System reports that Axis reinforcements are moving southwards, jamming the roads. Mustang bombers in Sicily yesterday hit an Axis convoy comprising 400 motor vehicles. Twenty Miles Inland The Allied forces in south-east Sicily hold a strip of land extending inland a distance of from 15 to 20 miles. The Allied advanced troops on the left flank of the bridgehead are 15 miles south-east of Ragusa. Algiers radio repeated unconfirmed reports from Stockholm that the German underground radio had stated that a fierce battle was raging at Ragusa, where the Axis Com-mander-in-Chief, Field-Marshal Kesselring, was stated to be leading 30,000 Germans in attacks against the invaders. Cap Pa'risero is now firmly m Allied hands, the junction of British and Canadian troops having been carried out 55 miles from Cap Passero, and Allied forces are now astride the vital Syracuse-Pozzallo JR.03.Cl Morocco radio reports that Catania aerodrome has been captured.