GERMANS TRYING TO LEAVE CORSICA

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 310, 25 September 1943, Page 7

GERMANS TRYING TO LEAVE CORSICA

Forces Held By French LONDON, September 23. General Giraud is firmly convinced that the struggle for Corsica will end in 10 to 15 days. He expressed tin's view on returning to Algiers today from a twodays’ visit to Corsica.

The French are now masters of twothirds of the island, said General Giraud. The Germans hold the north-eastern corner and are trying to get out, but the French are holding them. General Cliambre disclosed that the attack against Corsica had been prepared for six months. Ten thousand Corsicans had been armed since February witii tom-my-guns dropped by parachute or landed by submarine. Eighty thousand Italiaus on the island were taking orders from the French, and there was only a handful of Germans.

American rangers are already reported to he fighting in the neighbourhood of Bastia, tlie German-held port in the north-east.

French headquarters reports that Allied naval and air forces are blockading the east coast of Corsica, making it difficult for enemy escape traffic. Bombers have attacked shipping between Bastia and Leghorn' and made hits on five ships.