ITALY’S PREPARATIONS

Grey River Argus, 19 May 1943, Page 3

ITALY’S PREPARATIONS

CABINET IN SESSION Troops Massing to Defend Coast i IDEA OF SEPARATE PEACE GROWS. [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, May 17. The Algiers Radio says that the Italian Cabinet, with King Victor Emanuel presiding, nas been in nonstop session since Friday. The former Chief of Staff of the Italian Army (Marshal Badoglio), who has been called on to take over the Supreme Command, has participated in the discussions. Mussolini's prestige is definitely sinking, says the radio. The idea of a separate peace, which America is said to have suggested, is making ever greater progress in Rome. It is stated in London that there is no evidence to suggest that the Germans are withdrawing any: of 'the troops they may have in Italy. There have never been any actual German Army formations in Italy, although a few ‘units, probably meant to reinforce the German forces in Tunisia, are still there. Luftwaffe formations are operating from Italian territory, particularly Sicily. Reports received from Rome state that Italy.' is massing troops to defend the coast. Calling for an immediate peace with the Allies, and urging the people to aid the invading troops, the secret Italian radio, “Free Milan,” says: “We know how deep rooted discontent is in Italy. We are all approaching an upheaval which will result with the overthrow of Fascism. The soldiers will overthrow Fascism. They are just as discontented as you. The - enemy is powerful, but we can Drove to him our true belief in justice if we lend him a helping hand the day he anpears on our shores. The “Corriera della Sera,” in a leading article, warns Italians that the Allies are undoubtedly determined to attemnt an invasion of Italy. It admits Allied air superiority, but claims that the Italian Headquarters are convinced that an invasion is an ’mpossible undertaking.

Defence of Italy AIR FORCE INFERIOR TO ALLIES' RUGBY, May! 17. The numbers and composition of the forces available for the defence of Italy has been the subject of much speculation. Without disclosing official intelligence, it may be said that Italian divisions in the Balkans number between twenty and thirty. Five Italian divisions are in South France, and others in Corsica and Sardinia. In the air, the Tunisian campaign proved that the Allied forces in the Mediterranean are dutstandingly superior t 0 the combined strength of German.v and Italv in that theatre. Having ‘lost Africa and being forced to operate solely from Italian territory, it is unlikely that the Axis airforces will be; able to achieve greater success in, the defence of Italy than Africa. The total Italian air strength is so small and so technically inferior, that its best efforts, even in conjunction with the Luftwaffe, could not adequately protect Italy against Allied air attack. Italy’s most effective method ‘of defending herself against air attack would be to bomb Allied airfields in Africa, but her bomber force is small, and vulnerable to ground and fighter attack. Also her fighters are neither numerous nor efficient enough to prevent unescorted Allied bombers attacking Italv. In short, Italy is unable to defend all targets within bombing range, anart from the unsuitability, of many Italian fighter types to ‘engage heavilvarmed bombers. Against night attacks Italian anti-aircraft has proved inefficient, and she has never developed night fighters and Germany has few if any to snare. The Italian airfields are unfortunately placed for defence against attack from the south of Rome, and the southern end does not lend itself to development of airfields. The same applies to Sicily and Sardinia. < The best airfields were constructed! in the north for the defence against France. RAID ON ROME. LONDON, May 17. A Rome communique savs that enemy n’anes flew over Rome last nicht and dropoed bombs in the Ostia region. There was some damage and a few casualties.