FALL OF MESSINA MARKS END OF FIGHTING

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 13227, 18 August 1943, Page 3

FALL OF MESSINA MARKS END OF FIGHTING

t AST ENEMY STRONGHOLD CAPTUHED BY U.S. SEVENTH ARMY

ONE OF SWIFTEST AND MOST SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGNS IN HISTORY

CEASELESS ATTACKS MADE ON FLEEING AXIS FORCES

London. .August 17

Messina lias Fallen and the campaign in Sicily is over. Messages received from Sicily state that troops of the United St tes Seventh Army entered the last Axis stronghold in Sicily last

fell 28 days after the first Allied landings in Sicily * made and after one of the swiftest and most successful camun i o’ns m lustoiy. # 1 . . , n The Americans marched in through the war-torn streets at s o’clock last night, just as it was getting dusk, after making a very swift advance along the north coast road in spite ot all the obstacles left by the retreating enemy. . It was observed that yesterday boat traffic in the Straits of Messina had almost ceased and that the terrific anti-aircraft Inmate was lessening. ... The British Eighth Army is now making its way np the east (.oast of the island having only to contend with demolitions and extensive mining. . . _ . , , Yesterday morning both British and American troops mace successful landings in the rear of the enemy forces. The Americans landed in the Milazzo area and the British at a noint about eight miles south of Messina. A correspondent states' that it was clear yesterday that tlm enemy’s last resistance was crumbling. There was intense Allied land sea and air activity in the closing stages of the campaign A correspondent on a British motor torpedo boat states that Allied air and naval attacks on the evacuating enemy forces were lanit up to the last minute. The motor torpedo boats went to within a mile and three-quarters of Messina and the buildings othe city were plainly discernible in the moonlight. There were several great fires burning in the city and in the outskirts and the evacuation was practically over. All of the motor torpedo boats are veterans ot the Dover, Bizerta and Patellaria patrols. 1 n n , On the Italian mainland ports have bombarded bi Allied warships, Yivovaleneia Marina and Gallia being two of the tai gets. Over 1000 shells were fired on one target. Allied bombers are attacking targets all over southern Italy. _ _, Wellingtons bombed an airfield 45 miles north ot Koine and attacks were also made on the important airfield at Foggia, northeast of Naples. , „ , c At Foggia there was strong,Axis resistance and IUO fighters came lip. However, our bombers -plastered the target with bombs and shot down 33 of tire enemy fighters.