Germans Retreating From Salerno Area

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 224, 21 September 1943, Page 5

Germans Retreating From Salerno Area

Allies Capture Dominating Heights Enemy Convoys Mercilessly Hammered From Air United Press Assn.—By Electric Tolograph.—Copyright. Received Tuesday, 1.3 a.m. LONDON, September 20. Act Algiers communique says the Fifth Army is extending its bridgehead against decreasing enemy resistance. Reinforcements continue to arrive and the Eighth Army continues to advance northwards. We have made slight advances in the Taranto area where Gioja has been captured. Reuter’s correspondent with the Fifth Army says the Germans withdrawing in the Salerno area are using every demolition trick they learned in Africa and Russia, hut the Fifth Army is steadily pursuing them. The Fifth Army is plentifully supplied with equipment and greatly assisted by formidable air support. The increasing number of prisoners testifies to the terrible punishment the Germans are receiving from the air. The Algiers radio says the Allies are closing in on Avellino which is an important road junction in the broad valley. Other reports state that the Germans withdrawing south and east from Salerno ane he_ag hard hit from the air. There is evidence everywhere of the great loss in equipment suffered by the Germans and 40 destroyed tanks were found around the beachhead positions. The most important gain in the last few days is the occupation of the high ground on the Sorrento peninsula dividing the Gulf of Salerno from the Naples area, and our artillery now commands the main coast road between Salerno and Naples. The pressure is now driving the enemy back in a northeasterly direction. The Eighth Army has taken its position on the right flank of the Fifth Army and is pushing north. A great German convoy of 1800 vehicles moving north presented a perfect target for Allied bombers which did more or less as they liked owing to the absence of German aircraft. During the day 100 vehicles were destroyed and 130 more damaged. The Tactical Air Force is very active attacking strategical road's and bridges in advance of the retreating enemy.