ALL-OUT AXIS STAND

Evening Star, Issue 24915, 13 July 1943, Page 3

ALL-OUT AXIS STAND

PREPARATIONS IN EASTERN AREA SEVEN COUNTER-ATTACKS REPULSED (Rec. 11.15 a.m.) LONDON, July 12. Reuter says the enemy is hitting back strongly against the Allied forces. Seven- powerful counter-attacks have been made in the past 24 hours against the Allies on their 100 miles 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 making preparations for -an all-out stand in Eastern Sicily, where Allied tanks and enemy. reinforcements are now coming together. Considerable enemy movements were observed from Western Sicily towards Agrigento, which is just inland from Porto Empedocle, and approximately 20 miles from Licata.

The Columbia Broadcasting System's correspondent reports that Axis reinforcements moving southwards have jammed the roads. Mustangs in Sicily yesterday hit an Axis convoy comprising 400 motor vehicles. The Allies in South-east Sicily hold a strip of land extending inland V> to 20 miles. Allied advanced troops oh the left flank of the bridgehead are 15 miles south-east of Ragusa. .The Algiers radio repeated unconfirmed reports from Stockholm that the German underground radio had stated that a fierce battle was raging at Ragusa, where von 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 the British and Canadian troops was carried out 55 miles from Cape Passero. The Allied forces are now astride the vital Syra- , cuse-Pozzallo road. British and Canadian' troops in the Syracuse area_ are opposed by the 54th Napoli Division. ■ The Morocco radio reports that Catania aerodrome has been captured. Allied troops attacking the Axis forces in Sicily include crack'men who distinguished themselves from El Alamein to the final Tunisian battles. Reuter says the Allied losses in the latest successes aro light. Tlio inhabitants of the occupied zones are adopting a friendly attitude towards the Allied troops. According to reconnaissance reports, large-scale Allied landings are -still being carried on along the whole 100-mile South-eastern Sicilian coastal area.