NAPLES DRIVE UNDER WAY

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 307, 22 September 1943, Page 7

NAPLES DRIVE UNDER WAY

Allies Seize Roads ' To Plain PUSH UNDER BIG BARRAGE (Hr Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. 1 (Received September 21, 11.10 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. BiGeneral Alexander launched the big push against Naples this morning. By mid-morning the advance was developing according to plan, with tanks and infantry moving forward under a great artillery barrage. A correspondent with the Fifth Army representing the combined Press says that the toughest fighting is going on in the hills north of Salerno, where the enemy is making a desperate stand for the Naples plain. The inland formations from Battipaglia and Altavilla are encountering less opposition, and they regained contact early in the drive with enemy outposts north-east of the bridgehead. The enemy artillery is giving our troops little trouble; however, the roads and mountain trails were lavishly mined and engineers are clearing them under intense fire from cleverly-placed mortar and machinegun posts. -

The latest report, issued by the United Nations radio at Algiers, says the Allies now control 'all three roads leading to Naples from the Sorrento Peninsula, north of Salerno. The radio says the Allies are also driving the Germans back on our right flank. ■ Reuter's correspondent with the Fifth Army says that the army is plentifully supplied with equipment and is greatly assisted by formidable air support. The increasing number of .prisoners testifies to the terrible punishment the Germans are receiving from the air. Algiers radio says the Allies yesterday were closing in on Avellino, which is 30 miles east of Naples, and is an important road junction in a broad valley. The army was meeting with only slight opposition. Amalfi (10 miles west of Salerno) was captured yesterday. Reuter’s correspondent at Allied headquarters says that following the capture of the Sorrento peninsula, American “Long Toms’’ are now able to lob shells into Naples across the 12-mile stretch of water. Eighth Army Secret. According to Aloscow radio, the German military commander has proclaimed a state of siege in Naples. Reuter says that , the whereabouts of the Eighth Army is a well-kept secret. Military observers in Algiers believe that the four days’ lack of news of Genera! Montgomery's force may indicate that the Eighth Army is cutting in behind the Germans —“a Montgomery right hook this time.” An earlier unconfirmed report from Cairo stated that the Eighth Army was in front of Naples. Algiers radio stated last night that the Fifth Army in the Salerno area was now 19 miles inland and the Eighth Army was now with the Fifth Army “in full strength.”

GERMAN REPORT Large Allied Army At Salerno LONDON, September 20. The German news agency _ states that there are now 10 Allied divisions at Salerno —at least 120,000 men. It added that British motorized forces yesterday twice attacked from Vietri, two miles west of Salerno, with the intention of clearing the way to Naples, but both times were thrown back. The Berlin radio commentator, Captain Sertorius, says: “The Fifth Army has had heavy losses and its organization has been somewhat shaken. The Eighth Army has undergone a strenuous forced march and it remains to be seen whether the enemy will be able to launch a superoffensive against the shortened German line or will prefer to test the strength, of the new German positions in the coming days with violent reconnaissance. The possibility cannot be excluded of the Allies using their great naval superiority for the purpose of carrying out flanking landing manoeuvres either on the Tyrrhenian or Adriatic coast in the German rear before Generals Clark and Montgomery launch their super-attack.” Allied headquarters considers that Berlin’s claim that the Fifth Army suffered 10,000 casualties is absurd. The Allied casualties in the Salerno battle are not known, but they are expected to be heavy. It has been established that the Germans lost at least 40 tanks in the Salerno battle.

NO BATTLE FOR NAPLES? (British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, September 20. The Germans, after making a delaying stand on the ridge of hills running eastward across Italy just north of Salerno, may withdraw (to a line on the Volturna River, to the north of Naples, delaying the Allies as much as possible en route, says a correspondent with the Fifth Army. In the new positions would have the advantage of a wide river barrier, with a blown bridge, prepared forward positions, and excellent observation and artillery positions in high ground on the far side. The next real battle might well develop in that area.