GERMAN VIEW OF SITUATION

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 304, 18 September 1943, Page 7

GERMAN VIEW OF SITUATION

LONDON, September 16. The Berlin radio commentator, Captain Sertorius, said that the Allied Command, under the cover of strong units of the British Navy, succeeded in landing considerable reinforcements in the past 24 hours. Sertorius added that Allied attempts -to ease the situation by landing paratroops behind the German positions at Pompeii failed, and all the troops were wiped out. Berlin radio admitted that the Allied naval and air forces have been able to put up an umbrella over the Allied troops. “There were moments when the United States command was ready to give up the action,” it. said, "but after orders from the high command reinforcements were poured in and fresh efforts were made to hold the bridgehead at any cost.” While the Germans previously claimed that the Allies had begun an evacuation from Salerno, (he German spokesman today told the Berlin correspondent of (he Stockliolm newspaper “Tidningen” : “The British troops are fighting fiercely, and if they can merely retain the foothold the situation may be radically changed. We have every respect for the Eighth Army. Rommel and .Montgomery seem to be meeting again. It is not. possible to prevent Montgomery's advance, but weak German forces are trying to delay him.” The Paris radio commentator, 51. Jean Paipiis. said that a tribute must be paid to the courageous Fifth Army for having succeeded in keeping a foothold. The Salerno situation had definitely taken a better turn for the Allies.