PARTISAN GRIP

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 306, 21 September 1943, Page 5

PARTISAN GRIP

Yugoslav Coast And Interior ALLIED LIAISON (British Official Wireless and Press Assn.) (Received September 20, 7 p.m.) RUGBY, September 19. Violent fighting is raging at Klis, seven miles inland from Split, for the seventh day in succession, according to information reaching the Yugoslav authorities in London. The Germans nave made no headway, and losses arc heavy on both sides. Partisans are reported to be holding the coast from the north of Zara to Susak, and from the north of Zara to Susak, just south of Flume, and from the north of Sibenik to GO or SO miles south of Split. Most of the interior is also reported to be in the hands of the Partisans.

A communique tonight from the headquarters of the Partisan army states: “The Germans indulged in savage bombing of towns and villages in Bosnia aud around Split. “In Slovenia the Partisan army has ordered mobilization of the whole male population, which is proceeding successfully. The Partisans are calling on patriots —Serbs and Slovenes —to rise now to raise a force sufficient to meet the case of an eventual Allied landing.” The communique which has been issued by “General Tito, Yugoslavia Partisan Array” also states: “The British and American officers are with the force iu a liaison capacity to keep in touch with the High Command in Cairo and deal with matters of arms and' equipment. The Partisan army has lately adopted military rank, and generals have been appointed.” Algiers radio stated that all German attempts to recapture Split, which was liberated by Yugoslav patriots, have failed. Future of Serbia. Hitler on Saturday received the Serbian Premier, General Neditch, who before seeing him had a long talk with von Ribbentrop concerning Serbia’s future. The Berlin radio says General Neditch s visit to the Furhrer clearly indicates that the German authorities appreciate his constructive endeavours. The latest developments in Italy created a new situation as far as problems in south-eastern Europe were concerned, the radio said, and these, are now removed since the dynastical interest of the Italian Royal House need no longer be taken into account. The question of the future status of Serbia was one. of the problems unsolved after the disintegration of the Yugoslav state. The willing co-operation of the present Serbian Government will doubtless be rewarded. The peoples of South-Eastern Europe are coming to.the conclusion that Britain and the United States are prepared to make far-reaching concessions to the Soviet Union, particularly in South-Eastern Europe and they are also gaining the conviction that a German victory is in the interest of all nations in that area. General Mikhailovich’s guerrillas are fighting a concentrated battle in central Yugoslavia to hinder the Germans strengthening the Dalmatian and Albanian coastlines, reports the Istanoul correspondent of the Associated Press ot Britain. The guerrillas are now receiving regular supplies of ammunition, food, clothing, and medicine by air from Allied bases in the Middle East, also in some caseg, combat support from Allied planes.