LATE MESSAGES
AXIS LOSSES
LONDON, July 21. The total Axis losses from the beginning of the Egyptian campaign on June 10, 1940, to the final defeat in Tunisia, May 13, 1943, have been compiled from official sources by the “Standard.” It gives the losses as 975,000 men, 5156 planes destroyed in combat, about 2500 captured, or destroyed on the ground. 1578 ships sunk, or damaged, including 163 warships, the remainder being supply ships. Of this total 624 ships are known to have been sunk. Six thousond two hundred guns, 2500 tanks, and 700 lorries were destroyed. The prisoners total 175,000 Germans, 385,000 Italians, 220,000 Native troops, and 43,000 unidentified. More than 1000 planes were captured or found destroyed on the airfields between Alamein and Tripoli, and more than 500 on the airfields in the Tunis-Bizerta-Cap Bon area.
COMMUNICATIONS CUT
RUGBY, July 21
The break-up of Axis resistance in Sicily apart from Catania and the north-eastern part of the island is undoubtedly due to the capture of Enna, which fell yesterday to Canadians and Americans. The Canadians have pushed well northward of Enna. The main road and railway linking Catania with Palermo and South-west Sicily has been cut. The Germans say the Eighth Army is attacking Catania from the west as well as from the South.
BELGIUM’S INDEPENDENCE
RUGBY, July 21
The Belgian Prime Minister, addressing soldiers on ihe occasion of Belgium’s Independence Day, said: “Soon our forces will land on the Continent. and will head for Belgium. We are ready to go to the field of battle. I affirm the complete solidarity of Belgium with the United Nations.” He added that food supplies would be landed in Belgium with the Allied armies and the Government would be transferred to Belgian soil as soon as possible. When the country was liberated, the King would resume his constitutional prerogatives and Parliament would meet again. Among the first decrees would be a provision for the expulsion of collaborators and traitors.
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Bibliographic details
Greymouth Evening Star, 22 July 1943, Page 2
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327LATE MESSAGES Greymouth Evening Star, 22 July 1943, Page 2
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