Greymouth Evening Star. THURSDAY, AUGUST 19, 1943. SICILY AND AFTER.

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 August 1943, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. THURSDAY, AUGUST 19, 1943. SICILY AND AFTER.

gUCCESSES on the various war-fronts are becoming’ so regular that some of these gains may not be adequately appreciated, but it would be a poor heart that found little to rejoice over at the Allies’ capture of Sicily. Within six weeks, the Anglo-U.S.A. forces, on land, sea and in the air, have concluded the expedition in far less time and at lower cost than the most optimistic prophets predicted, and all concerned deserve the thanks and praise of the whole United Nations. The planning and the execution of the affair demonstrated excellent staff work, a happy augury for the greater invasions to come. What will happen next may be safely left to those who have done so well, hitherto. It is unlikely that others, further from the scene of operations and without knowledge and responsibilities, would do better.

It was expecting too much to count on the capture of the whole German force in Sicily, seeing how near the island is to the Italian mainland. However, the enemy enjoyed no “Dunkirk,” the bulk of his army being left behind. Those who did escape will have difficulty in reaching German headquarters in the North, and for some time will be little asset,to the Nazis. Meanwhile, the Allied aircraft and warships will do their best to prevent the retreat proceedings becoming dull for the escapees. The beginning of the Sicilian campaign was the end of Mussolini, and the end of the fight may bring the end of the Badoglio Government, or. at least, its policy of continuation in the war. The absence of both news from Rome and comment by Allied leaders suggests that something is being done behind the scenes to bring about early “unconditional suirender.” The alternative would be unpleasant for the Italian people whose desire for peace will be strengthened by recent evidence of Allied determination. A feature of recent offensives has been the development of U.S.A, strength, especially in the air. American troops in Sicily proved they had profited from experience in North Africa, and in all futuie operations they will compel the Germans to change their estimate of American deficiencies in military training. On vaiious fronts. U.S.A, aircraft are coming more into the picture, and their Fortress raids on Germany, Italy and France have opened a new chapter in aerial offensives. In the Pacific, all previous achievements against the Japanese airmen were surpassed on Tuesday, when the Wewak ’dromes were surprised. With 1/0 enemy planes destroyed or damaged, and about 1,500 personnel killed, the Japanese received a blow ‘which General MaeAithui was justified in describing as “crippling.” The enemy was caught napping, not for the first time in this campaign, and again paid clearly. The Japanese are losing many planes and ships but obstinately refuse to change their tactics. So much the better for the Allies, whose offensive-de-fensive will soon be solely aggressive. With the Russians also making progress, the Allies are doing well everywhere, and this should encourage the Quebec Conference leaders to adopt bold measures in the effort to shorten the war.