Germans Struggle Northwards

Northern Advocate, 23 August 1943, Page 3

Germans Struggle Northwards

(Ree. 1.30 p.m.) LONDON. August 22.

South of the (wrecked and chaotic Italian marshalling yards, the bulk of General Schatel’s Germans divisions from Sicily are now struggling northwards, says the Algiers correspondent of the “Daily Mail.” The Germans have 200 to 300 miles to go before they can link up with the Germans massing on the River Po. Luftwaffe Fails

Efforts of picked Luftwaffe squadrons to keep the way clear for General Schatel’s retreat failed. Focke-Wulfe 190 s and the famous yellow-nosed Messerschmitt 109 s suffered heavily at the hands of Allied bombers and escorting fighters. The Luftwaffe, in three days’ air battle, lost nearly 100 planes in combat and dozens more were damaged. Allied losses were about 35. Alexander Sums Up Prospects

“We are closing in on the enemy. We have just got to keep going.” said General Alexander to Reuter's correspondent in Sicily. “Germany is in a jam and must keep Italy in the i.var. Italian capitulation would be a fearful blow to her.

"The Germans cannot possibly undertake costal defence of the Italian mainland. That must bo done by the Italians. If the Germans withdraw to northern Italy, then Italian divisions in the Balkans will want to come home —divisions which Germans must replace If southern Italy is taken it means that we have linked hands with the Balkans and are in touch with southern France." Our Casualties Only 22,000 General Alexander added that there were 300.000 Axis troops in Sicily when the Allies landed but many Sicilians immediately demobilised themselves by putting on civilian clothes and returning to their farms. He said that our casualties were fewer than expected. To August 17 the figures were: Eighth Army 11835, Seventh Army 7400. Canadians 2388.