"MOPPING UP" IN THE DODECANESE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 227, 24 September 1943, Page 2

"MOPPING UP" IN THE DODECANESE

TIFHILE mos't attention is focused on the progress of the Allied land ** forces in Italy, other forces are busy exploiting the gains made possible by the Badoglio Government's capitulation and, particularly, by the surrender of the Italian Fleet. The south coast of Europe has been protected by a line of advanced positions, the strongest of which were Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily and the Dodecanese Islands. The most important, Sicily, has been takjen. French and American troops are fighting to take Corsica, and the Royal Navy is apparently beginning the "mopping up" of the Dodecanese. Four of the islands have been occupied, and it is reported that Allied aircraft are already operating from some of them. The main island, Rhodes, like Crete, has evidently been cut off and temporarily by-passed. Both will have to be taken, but the calculation may be that the power of resistance of the German forces in them will be lowered by time and shortages. What these operations portend remains a matter of speculation. There is expectation of an invasion of the Balkans, an undertaking of much greater difficulty, especially on the transport side, than is commonly supposed. However, if it is attempted the Allied forces will have that which was so grievously lacking before —effective air cover.