CORSICA OCCUPIED.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXIII, Issue 258, 29 September 1943, Page 4

CORSICA OCCUPIED.

The Germans who fled across the narrow Strait of Bonifacio from Sardinia to Corsica went from the frying pan into the fire. Not only did they find

French commando troopLS hot on their trail, but the Corsicans were ready to take revenge on their country’s worst enemy. The French troops were sent from North Africa by General Giraud and their increasing numbers, assisted by the patriots, gave the enemy no rest. The capital and naval base at Ajaccio quickly fell to them, and the Germans were subsequently reported to be continuing their flight up the east coast to Bastia and embarking thence to Elba and the Italian mainland. With Bastia in Allied hands by . the week-end Corsica has been practically cleared of the enemy, whose final retreat to Italy is being rendered extremely difficult by bombers and naval ships. The reported landing of American Rangers on the beaches near Bastia has also hampered the withdrawal. Much lias happened since the Duce raised his cry of “Nice, Corsica, Tunis!” Corsica and Tunis have been freed of enemy control, and Corsica gives to the Allies an island of great strategical possibilities. From its airfields bombers can range against the northern Italian ports of Leghorn, , Spezia, Genoa, and the French bases of Nice. Toulon, and Marseilles. The Germans, particularly in Northern Italy, will require to strengthen their aerial defence against the Allied squadrons, and this in turn will weaken their position elsewhere. ,For France there is comfort and hope in the news that French troops and Corsicans played a great part in liberating portion of her territory held under the iron heel of despotic enemies.