"ALLIES AIM TO CUT OFF TOE OF ITALY"

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 213, 8 September 1943, Page 3

"ALLIES AIM TO CUT OFF TOE OF ITALY"

DRIVE TOWARD PIZZO

Palmi Captured By British And Canadian Forces

N.Z. Press Association —Copyright Rec. 12.30 p.m. LONDON, Sep. 7. While Algiers radio to-night stated that new Allied reinforcements have landed on the Italian mainland, correspondents reported further progress by the British Eighth Army and a continuance of the air blitz against Naples. The British United Press correspondent reports that 39 towns and villages have thus far been captured on the Calabrian Peninsula. The occupation of Delia Nuova by a force swinging inland from Bagnara means that the Eighth Army has cut the mountain road leading to Bovalino on the opposite coast line. 'In view of the Allied advance across the Aspromonte Range," the correspondent adds, "it appears as though the Italian troops remaining on the toe of Italy must quickly retreat or capitulate." Allies Capture Sinopoli Algiers radio reported that the Allies have captured Sinopoli, six miles inland from Bagnara. It is officially revealed that the Allies have landed tanks on the Italian mainland. . Correspondents report that tne British and Canadian forces are meeting with practically .no opposition, but to-day's Italian communique says: "During their orderly wundrawal from coastal sectors in southern Calabria, Axis troops are engaging in lively fighting against tne enemy's vanguard." , The present objectives of . the Eighth Army are believed to be 50 miles north-east of Reggio, and Catanzaro, 25 miles north-east oi Pizzo. The possession of these towns would amputate the toe of Italy. The military correspondent oiine Times says there has apparently been an almost complete Axis evacu ' tion of the toe of Italy. /'The first unofficial reports of resistance we completely misleading, the corres pondent adds. "There has been no resistance to speak of, and re Ports_ 'mass Italian surrenders are equaly wide of the mark, as shown by th fact that we have taken only 30 prisoners." Pressing On From Palmi _ An earlier report stated that Brlish and Canadian forces m .f° * lnn „- Italy had advanced eight miles along the main coast road and capt r Palmi. The troops were pressing on from there. in The destroyer Quilliam helped in the taking of Palmi by b enemy defences in the neig t hood, while further alon D the the Tactical Air Force has been sou ening enemy positions. _ 'ij P q The Navy is still landing supp g Tanks and artillery are up with tn leading Allied forces. . Sanies "After over 100 air raids, Naples to-day is a mere heap of declared Rome radi<?. t 2 4 Allied bombers in the past hours have hammered five e four vital marshalling yards, T les port-all within 50 miles of Naples. One correspondent describes truc . as a ringed arc of fire ana tion. [Such of the cable news on thls paee, as^ designated has appeared in Aire It shoula sent to this paper by special permiss not those ol be understood tr."t the cp n.ons are n The Times unless stated to be so.