SHARP CLASH

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 1, 27 September 1943, Page 5

SHARP CLASH

Germans Repulsed In Corsica EVACUATION BEING HARRIED (British Official Wireless.) ■ (Received September 26, 8.15. p.m.) RUGBY, September 25. A French communique quoted by a correspondent in Algiers states: “Increasing numbers of French troops have landed in Corsica and, in close,cooperation with the patriots, are overcoming the pressure of the German troops, who have now been pushed back toward the north-eastern part of the island. The combined activity of Allied 'bombers and naval forces is rendering their evacuation most precarious. . ■ ■ “A sharp engagement took place on the eastern part of the St. Florient region, where the Germans were repulsed. Enemy aircraft scattered bombs in the Ajaccio district, causing no damage. French fighters shot 'down two.” Allied troops are within 12 miles of Bastia, the important port in northern Corsica, states; Algiers radio.

Algiers radio also reports that United States rangers landed on beaches near Bastia, from which the Germans are escaping from Corsica to Italy. French troops in Corsica, with -the help of an American detachment, yesterday occupied Bonifacio and Porto Vecchio.

■ Last night’s French communique said that raids on Bdstia had made the port useless to the enemy. Two ships loaded with war material had been sunk, several ships loaded with ammunition blown up, and many tanks awaiting embarkation destroyed. The German communique admitted the withdrawal of their forces to Bastia.

It was officially stated yesterday that two cruisers, three submarines and six 'destroyers of the French Fleet participated in the recent transportation of troops and supplies to Corsica. Another dispute between General de Gaulle aud General Giraud has developed over Corsica. The Algiers correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says that the trouble began when General de Gaulle walked out of a meeting of the French National Committee of Liberation as a protest against General Giraud’s sending a military governor to Corsica, namely, General Mollard, without consulting the committee. At a subsequent meeting General de Gaulle proposed that General Giraud should cease to be a member. One report quotes General de Gaulle as tolling General Giraud: “You stole my Corsica.” The issue is whether General Giraud as commander-in-chief of the French forces under General Elsenhower’s supremo command was within his rights in sending a military governor with the troops. It is understood that a majority of the committee holds that he ought to have sought its consent before doing so.