GUNS THUNDER

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 229, 27 September 1943, Page 5

GUNS THUNDER

BATTLE FOR NAPLES

Allies Firmly Astride Some Roads To City N.Z. Press Association—Copyright Rec. 10.30 a.m. LONDON, Sept. 26. The Allied barrage in the battle for Naples is described as heavier than that in the battle for El Alamein, states the British United Press correspondent in Algiers. The Allies, he adds, are thus far on top in the biggest battle of the Mediterranean campaign. The Germans are using many guns, mortars and tanks. The battle rages day and night as the hills echo with the thunder of the guns. The British and American forces north-north-west of Salerno are firmly astride some of the roads leading to Naples through the mountains. Algiers radio says the British' and Americans have advanced several miles in the last 48 hours. Most Heights Captured The Fifth Army, fighting its way forward in the new offensive from Salerno, has already captured most of the heights overlooking Naples. British troops have been clearing the main road to Naples often at the point of the bayonet. On the right flank the Americans pushed forward for three miles and are fanning out to the north-east. There has been stiff opposition from the Germans, who have been relying on tanks, artillery and demolitions. According to the Algiers correspondent of the Columbia Broadcasting System, General Clark's forces may soon reach the plain of Naples. He says that Allied artillery on Friday night hammered the enemy posi- > tions on the plain with a furious I bombardment which "split the whole! landscape of the Gulf of Salerno." j "We are gradually clearing the i Germans from the high ground north | and east of Salerno," the correspond- i ent adds. "The Germans are fighting fiercely and taking the utmost advantage of the mountainous terrain, i The Fifth Army has taken more than 2000 prisoners in 16 days." Vichy radio says the Fifth Army is moving on Pompeii and Mercato, which may be described as gateways to the Naples plain. Pompeii commands the Nocera gap past Versuvius. Mercato is in the foothills of the Apennines. According to Berlin radio batteries of howitzers have been brought up to reinforce the British troops attacking north of Salerno, and warships close to the beaches have joined in the fighting. Berlin radio commentator, Sertorius, said: "Increased activity by the Royal Air Force, the appearance of numerous British and American land batteries, and extensive troop movements to the front,- indicate that a new phase of the Allied offensive in Southern Italy is imminent." According to the United States War Department American casualties at Salerno to September 15 were 3497 killed, wounded and missing. ITALIAN ARMISTICE INTER-ALLIED COMMISSION Rec. 10 a.m. LONDON, Sept. 26. Moscow radio says an inter-Allied military and political commission has been established in Algiers embracing Britain, the United States, Russia, and the French National Committee.

The commission will examine questions connected with the conditions of the Italian armistice and examine control measures for carrying out the terms of the armistice. Similar problems will be jointly discussed as soon as other territories are occupied by the Allies. M. Vyshinski represents Russia, and Mr. Harold MacMillan, British Minister in North Africa, represents Britain on the commission. The American and French representatives will be appointed shortly. HERRIOT'S FATE LONDON, Sept. 26. The Berlin correspondent of the Stockholm newspaper Svenska Dagbladet says that M. Herriot,'a former French Prime Minister, has died in ' a sanatorium in the south of France.