GREAT BATTLE FOR CATANIA

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21150, 19 July 1943, Page 3

GREAT BATTLE FOR CATANIA

AMERICANS TAKE AGRIGENTO

MORE THAN 30,000 PRISONERS CAPTURED

(By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Noon.) LONDON, July IS. ' One-third of Sicily is now in Allied hands, according to afternoon press messages from North African tTeadcjuaitois, and in the last 24 hours the Allies advanced on every scctoi. A considerable battle is believed to be taking place in the northern part of the plain of Catania. The enemy are resisting strongly and the latest reports are of very bitter lighting just south of Catania. A great prize is the chain of airfields from which all eastern Sicily can be dominated. Long-range guns in the hills to the south may have the aerodromes under fire. Hundreds of truckloads of enemy infantry have been seen pouring down into the northern part of the plain from the slopes around. Lina. Whoever controls the Gerbini airfields certainly controls the eastern half, which is the vital half of Sicily, and is in a fair way to set up an effective blockade of the western half. The most important of recent successes is the capture by the Americans pushing westward of the key city of Agrigento, a few miles inland from Porte Einpedoele and a vital railway junction. The Americans took 4000 prisoners in Agrigento. It. was previously announced that 30,000 prisoners had been counted up to Thursday night. At the other end of the front,, the Eighth Army is continuing its advance on Catania, some reports stating that, fighting is already occurring in the suburbs of the city. The Royal Navy has also been taking pail in the attack on Catania and is reported ,to have subjected it to a heavy bombardment. In the meantime, the Allies retain unquestioned supremacy in the air and have stepped up their attacks on Italian bases. Naples has been subjected to the heaviest bombing it has yet sustained and other important bases and communications centres in the toe of Italy and Sicily are being relentlessly pounded.