VERY SATISFACTORY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 31, 5 August 1943, Page 5

VERY SATISFACTORY

The Push In Sicily

NAVAL PARTICIPATION

LONDON, August 4.

Today's communique from Allied headquarters on the land fighting in Sicily reports very satisfactory progress, especially on the Eighth Army's left sector. The enemy is fighting desperately.

South of Catania patrol activity has increased, while further inland our troops have pushed forward in some places for several miles. In the centre of the front the Allied capture of two places has considerably strengthened:1 their position. There has been bitter fighting in this area, and the enemy has had heavy casualties. In the northern part,of this sector advances up to six miles have been made, in some cases in difficult, country.

The. Eighth Army is blasting the enemy from his defensive positions one after another and pressing closer to the Mt. Etna road running to the north-east.

.The Germans are figliting with bit-, ter determination and are using tanks in some of their numerous counterattacks in the sector where the Eighth Army line curves up to -the Canadians. Infantry repulsed the attacks, destroying several -tanks. In the centre of the bridgehead Allied forces have driven deep into the enemy's vital position. The whole structure of the > enemy defence is threatened' by (the Canadians in ,the nighbourhood of Regalbuto, on the more southerly of the two main roads, and by the Americans on the other road about 12 miles to the north. Fighting here is reported to be bitter and confused. . ; In the extreme north the Seventh Army" has. taken a town six miles beyond San Stefano.

A naval communique indicates con-.| siderable activity in Sicilian waters. J, Oh the north coast of the island, west of Cape Orlando, cruisers and destroyers of the United' States navy have been bombarding the coastal road and the enemy positions on the left flank of the Seventh Army. ■'■'- During Saturday night a'British light cruiser detachment shelled targets off « Cape dell' Armi, oh the toe of Italy, and on-the same night British destroyers, bombarded a road on theeast coast. E-boats were' engaged and driven off. The coast road at the foot of Mt. Etna was- also bombarded. . In the air medium and light bombers have been attacking communica- j tions and gun positions, while fighters have', been • patrolling over the battle area.. On Monday night our bombers attacked, railway communications at Naples—the -third attack on this city in three days. During Monday night * our aircraft were reported over southern Italy. '"-'''■"■■■.