FOUGHT WITH DISTINCTION

Evening Star, Issue 24917, 15 July 1943, Page 5

FOUGHT WITH DISTINCTION

AMERICANS IN GELA AREA ALLIES WELL AHEAD OF TIME-TABLE (Rec. 12.10 p.m.) LONDON, July 14. Renter's correspondent says the British in the area south-west of Augusta are not meeting serious resistance. The Canadians further south are driving a big salient into the hills by linking up Modica and Palazzolo. The American army's extreme left, which is the western limit of the Allied front, now rests on the seashore in the neighbourhood of Palma. The line then runs almost due north, to Naro, and turns sharply east to the American , central sectors north of Gela. The' Americans in the Gela area emerged with the greatest distinction from the most bitter fighting of the campaign against the Hermann Goering . Division. The enemy has retired and the Americans are pushing on. The average advance on. the American front is approximately six miles.

The British United Press correspondent at Allied headquarters says the Allied offensive apparently continued to surprise the enemy by its speed, force, and perfect execution. The fall of Augusta and Ragusa keeps the Allies well ahead of their time-table. The Allied penetration at some points is 30 miles and nowhere less than six miles. The British have cap+.ured Priolo, north-west of Syracuse. The Allies are using their triple superiority—land, sea and ear—to keep the forces rolling forward on "all fronts. Supply ships are shuttling backwards and forwards, bringing in more and more men and supplies, and, most important of all, tanks, which are a prime factor in the advance against the enemy's armoured strength, which lies somewhere on the Allied line of advance across the island. The Press. Association's military writer declares: "We are now sufficiently, well established in Sicily to deal with any large counter-attacks the enemy may launch." The Allied forces have occupied i one-tenth of Sicily, says Reuter's correspondent. The Allies are fighting their way deeper into the heart of the island without meeting serious opposition. ' Casualties continue to be slight. Many Sicilian [families who fled inland when the invasion forces landed on the south-eastern beaches are now returning to their homes. They are friendly and helpful, and and are being supplied with food..