SUCCESS ASSURED

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 11, 13 July 1943, Page 5

SUCCESS ASSURED

OBSERVER'S OPINION

(By Telegraph—Press Association--Copyrlehtl) Rec. 12.20 p.m. , LONDON, July 12. Following the dramatic announcement from Allied headquarters this afternoon that oar invading forces in Sicily had captured ten major ports and towns, Renter's military correspondent says that the success of the Sicilian operation is assured. Reuters Algiers correspondent says that the first big battle of the Sicilian campaign is approaching. Streams of enemy vehicles, though badly mauled by incessant air attacks, are moving forward for a clash. Allied heavy tanks are now moving well inland from the string of coastal towns, including the great port of Syracuse, which are in Allied hands. They are pressing on across the Sicilian hinterland to meet enemy reinforcements coming down from the north. The Allied advance continues in all sectors. A front of 100 miles in the south-east corner of Sicily is now firmly held, and artillery duels are being fought out on the hinterland front.

The capture of Syracuse by British troops is the greatest achievement of the Allied arms so far in the Sicilian invasion. Its fall is a serious embarrassment to the Germans, who were last reported to be pushing south to bolster up this bastion of their eastern flank.

It is revealed that the British Eighth Army is holding the right of the Allied invasion line, while men of the American Seventh Army are holding the left, and in between are Canadians, who took a big part in the capture of the Pachino Peninsula.

The Reuter correspondent continues: "The enemy are hitting back strongly against these forces. Seven powerful counter-attacks have been made in the past twenty-four hours against the Allies' 100-mile front. The heaviest counter-blow was directed against the centre of the American sector at Gela. The attacking force, which included 45 tanks and a considerable body of infantry, was completely repulsed. The Axis is believed to be ynaking preparations for ah all-out stand in eastern Sicily, where Allied tanks and enemy reinforcements are now coming together. Considerable enemy move-

ments have been observed from western Sicily towards Agrigento, which is just inland from Porto Empedocle and approximately 20 miles from Licata. . The Columbia broadcasting systems correspondent reports that Axis reinforcements are moving southwards, jamming the roads. Mustangs over Sicily yesterday hit an Axis convoy comprising 400 motor vehicles.

The Allies in the south-east of Sicily hold a strip of land extending inland 15 to 20 miles. Allied advanced troops on the left flank of the bridgehead are 15 miles south-east of Ragusa. Algiers radio repeated unconfirmed reports from Stockholm that the German underground radio had stated that a fierce battle was raging at Ragusa, where Field Marshal Kesselring is stated to be leading 30,000 Germans in attacks against the invaders.

Cape Passero is now firmly in Allied hands. The junction of British and Canadian troops was carried out 45 miles from the Cape, and Allied forces are now astride the vital SyracusePozzallo road. , British assault troops entered Syracuse at 9 a.m. yesterday after racing along the eastern .coast of the island. Allied infantry are now expanding their positions, and in some places have driven ten miles inland. British and Canadian troops in the Syracuse area are opposed by the 54th Napoli Division.

Morocco radio reports that Catania aerodrome has been captured. The Allied troops attacking the Axis forces in Sicily include crack men who distinguished themselves from El Alamein to the final Tunisian battles.

Reutcr's correspondent says that the Allied losses in the latest successes have been light. The inhabitants of occupied zones are adopting a friendly attitude towards the Allied troops. According to reconnaissance reports, large-scale landings are still being carried out along the whole 100----mile coastal area of south-eastern Sicily.