ITALIAN NAVAL COMMANDS

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23914, 5 April 1943, Page 5

ITALIAN NAVAL COMMANDS

MEETING ALLIED THREAT . DANGER TO COUNTRY EMPHASISED (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, April 2. After the visit to Italy of Admiral Doenitz, the German naval chief, Mussolini instituted two naval commands, Sresumably in order to meet the Aled threat to Tunisia, states the “Daily Mail.” The Borne radio announced that SquadrOn-Admiral Carlo Bergamini has been appointed commander-in-chief of the Italian Naval Battle Forces, and Squadron-Admiral Eduardo Sommigll has been appointed commander-in-chief of the naval forces protecting sea traffic. This announcement was followed by a nation-wide “pep” talk. The announcer said; “The fatherland is endangered. Our enemies are earnestly preparing for the conquest of Italy. Italians, show your mettle in misfortune. You are confronted by Croatian and Albanian guerrillas and powerful British and American armies. The supreme test will not be long delayed. Italy is hurriedly preparing for a possible invasion by Allied forces from North Africa, _ . .. According to reports from Spam, the Italian Cabinet is meeting to authorise the appointment,of Marshal Rommel as supreme commander of the southeastern Italian defences'. Quoting neutral reports, the “Daily Mail” states that the Italian Cabinet is arranging details for a Tunisian “Dunkirk." The naval writer of the "Daily Mall" believes that the bombing of small ships at Cagliari is evidence that Marshal Rommel is already collecting an evacuation fleet to be convoyed by the Italian Navy. The Official German News Agency states that Mussolini has replaced leading officials in the exposed provinces. From Switzerland come reports that the Germans are fortifying and erecting barbed wire barricades along the whole of the French Mediterranean coast. The Germans are taking a census of French seamen living on the coast. All foreigners living in coastal districts have been ordered inland. French citizens living near the sea or in places overlooking the Mediterranean have also been ordered inland. British and American residents are being evacuated to concentration camps on the Spanish border. The black-out throughout, the coast has been strictly enforced.