IN ENEMY HANDS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 63, 11 September 1943, Page 7

IN ENEMY HANDS

ROME SURRENDERS

REPORTS BY THE GERMANS (By Telegraph—l'ress Association—Copy right.) Rec. 10.40 a.m. LONDON, Sept. 10.

A special German communique announces that Rome.has capitulated to the Germans.

Just prior to the German announce-; ment messages from Allied headquarters in North Africa-, stated that the Badoglio Government was still in power, but that the Germans were attacking Rome with, the object of establishing a puppet regime. A communique from Hitler's headquarters stated: "The treacherous Badoglio Government, as a preparation for desertion, has during the past few weeks concentrated powerful forces around Rome, and the city itself has been put into a state of defence against German troops stationed outside Rome. One explanation given was danger from the enemy west of Rome, Since the capitulation of Italy on September 8 fighting between German and Italian troops has ensued for the possession of Rome. The German supreme commander in the south, Field Marshal Kesselring, brought up reinforcements and launched an attack agair^st Rome, and presented an ultimatum to the commander of the city. Under this pressure the Italian commander-in-chief of Rome capitulated. This capitulation covers an area of 30 miles around Rome. The disarmament of the Italian troops is progressing. Communications with the German army in the Naples and Salerno area have been established. The German army will take over the protection of the Vatican City."

OCCUPATION OF UPPER ITALY,

The communique adds:;: "In upper Italy Field-Marshal Rommel forced Italian units to surrender after a short fight, which was waged with deep indignation by the divisions of his army group. Railways and roads leading from Carinthia and Tyrcolia to upper Italy are in our hands, undestroyed, and the coast, including Genoa and Spezia, has been occupied. The Adige Valley and towns in the area of Bologna, Verona, and Cremona have been mopped up. Trieste was captured after a short fight. Over 90,000 Italians were disarmed in this area alone.

"The Italian army in southern France surrendered its arms without an in^ eident to troops under Field-Marshal yon Rundstedt. v We have occupied the coast from Toulon to Mentone.

"In the Balkans the bulk of the commanding Italian authorities sympathetically submitted to the demands of the German commander-in-chief, Field-Marshal yon Weichs. The divisions of the Italian group at Tirana and of the Eleventh Italian army at Athens have in the main laid down their, arms. The German navy has taken over Italian warships and merchantmen in the Aegean Sea. All the Italian aerodromes and the most important harbours on the Adriatic coast have been occupied. Fighting is still in progress in only a very few cases. "Instances of Italian units going over to the. German army are everywhere becoming more frequent. They do this in order to continue to fight. Thereby a- treachery viler and meaner than which could hardly be found in history has come back upon the traitors themselves. The Italian armed forces no longer exist, but the world's contempt for the traitors will exist for all time."

ROME SAID TO BE CALM.

The Stefani News Agency announces: "By' agreement, the German troops will not occupy Rome itself, but the Germans have taken over the Rome radio. The German troops will stop at the limit of the open cityxof Rome. The Germans, however, will occupy the German Embassy and the telephone exchange. General di Bergola has been nominated as commander of the military garrison in Rome. Ministers will be allowed to remain, and the Ministries will carry on their normal duties."

The agency says that Marshal Enrico Caviglia issued a proclamation stating: "The city of Rome is entirely calm and life is continuing its normal rhythm. Negotiations with the commander of the German troops stationed in this zone are progressing, aiming at their transfer northwards."

The Stefani agency says: "Bombs from unknown planes damaged several houses and caused casualties in Rome last night. Some of the bombs did not explode, and will be examined to determine the nationality of the attackers."

Berlin radio, giving a list of towns occupied by the Germans in addition to those quoted in the communique, says that Durazzo and Elbasan have been taken, and adds that all detachments in Palmi, Reggio, Modena, and Mantua were disarmed after short fighting. All frontier crossings from southern France to Cai'inthia and the side valleys of the Brenner Road, in which alpine detachments tried to offer resistance, have been cleared up, and quietness is reigning throughout northern Italy.

Rec. 11.40 a.m

LONDON, Sept. 10

Diplomatic circles in Berne state that Italy intends to declare war against Germany within 24 hours, says the British United Press. The decision was reached after the bombing of Rome by an unidentified plane, believed to be German.

The Berlin news agency says political circles in Berlin state that no details are available up to the present of the composition of the new Italian Fascist Government, but competent circles state that Mussolini will function as its chief.

Rome radio said that Marshal Badoglio is at present away from Rome owing to military inspections which make his personal presence necessary, and that Marshal di Caviglia has taken temporary military charge.