PROGRESS IN SICILY.

Evening Star, Issue 24916, 14 July 1943, Page 6

PROGRESS IN SICILY.

STOP PRESS

LONDON, July 13.— British and' Canadian troops captured Itagusa. and Floridia. AtEßagusa they joined up with the Americans. The capture of Bagusa p>ractically involves command of the important Comiso airfield. Axis tanks pierced the American lines in Southern Sicily yesterday and reached the Leaches. The Americans regrouped, struck back savagely, and sealed the gap. A. 'considerable- number of enemy tanks vvere knocked out. The enemy appears to be nervous regarding possibilities in the western part of the island. Tt is obvious that if he rushes all his reserves eastward he is inviting a lauding in the Trapani and Marsala, areas. On the other hand, if the enemy delays too long he may find himself cut off in another Cape Bon or Zaghouau. The Berlin radio

says.that when the Axis command discovers at which point of Sicily the enemy intends to concentrate Lis attacks powerful countermeasures can be expected. . The Algiers' radio reports that four Italian generals Lave been killed in action in Sicily. General Bavet, commander of the ' 206th Italian coastal division, was captured. Colonel Knox announced in ■Washington- that no American naval losses had been reported from Sicily so far. U.S. TOLL OF ENEMY PL AXES. LOS 'ANGELES,- July 13. General Arnold disclosed that army pilots in six months, to June 30 had destroyed "3.515 enemy planes, probably destroyed 1,127. and damaged 1,280 in 89,691 cornhats costing 346 American planes. The army also sank 121 eneiny tsLips, pvobaLly sank 7-1, and hit 315. General Arnold added that 9,000 air force officers and men had (been recalled to train new men.'' "We are not keeping the boys at the fronts until they are worn out," he said.