Italians Look To Britain

Northern Advocate, 23 August 1943, Page 4

Italians Look To Britain

LONDON, August 22. Italians have implicit faith in Britain on whom hopes for the future are based, says Reuter’s Zurich correspondent, quoting a traveller recently arrived from Italy. The traveller said that Italy will be forcibly compelled to continue the war. The Italians, while bombs were dropped on cities, cursed their own Government, not Britain, which is now regarded as the only possible deliverer. The correspondent acids that reports from the frontier indicate that the Badoglio Government is increasingly unpopular and the King's position is weakening. The “Tribune de Geneve,” in a leader, says that the Italians are cruelly disappointed in Badoglio, who had a splendid opportunity for making peace. Badoglio’s subtle diplomatic game, which is probably aimed at allowing the Germans to withdraw to the north before starting peace talks, goes hand in hand with the Spanish policy, which is also preparing for retreat. Germans Fear Home Front German Press and radio are predicting an Allied invasion of Europe at any moment and assure the people of the Reich’s defensive strength, They urge the Germans to be calm and steadfast.

Berlin radio says that German troops are manning all coasts of occupied Europe. Allied correspondents on the German frontier says that German fears of the stability of home front morale are indicated by articles in the German Press deploring criticism of the Nazi Government and even Hitler himself, for involving Germany in the war against Russia. The Stockholm * newspaper “Allehanda” says that the German Foreign Office spokesman (Schmidt) told foreign correspondents that Hitler would not capitulate even if all German cities were destroyed. Schmidt declared that speculation regarding separate peace between Russia and Germany was loose talk and Allied propaganda. Rome radio says that the Germans have appealed to demobilised French soldiers who have had experience with anti-aircraft guns to enrol in anti-air-craft units to help resist any Allied invasion of France. Internees Released

Satisfaction is expressed at the capture of Lipiari Islands both for military and political reasons. They deprive the Axis of carefully organised sentryboxes against invasion, while the release of over 4000 Serbs. Croats and Slovenes deported from Yugoslavia by Italians has been affected. Mussolini used Lipiari as a concentration camp from which only three men ever escaped. A thousand were sent there, many without trials. Luftwaffe Stung- To Action

A Rome communique says that enemy bombers raided various localities in Naples and Avellion provinces. Great damage was caused at Benevento, where 70 were killed and 203 injured, Paola and Cosenza regions were bombed and also shelled from the sea.

; The radio says that the Italian air , force is unable to prevent intensification of air bombardment of South Italy, but is inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. Allied correspondents say that the havoc caused to the foot of Italy by Allied bombers concentrating on cutting vital communications and arteries, has stung the Luftwaffe to action. The Luftwaffe for the second time in two days sent up a strong fighter force in an attempt to beat off Marauders and Mitchells attacking railway yards at Benevento and A versa. Combat reports state that the Luftwaffe opposition was ineffective. Bombers heavily damaged railway junctions, repair shops, rolling stock, tanks and cars and destroyed a bridge at Benevento. effectively blocking the line to Naples, also cutting at least temporarily, a line to Canccllo. Bombers attacking Aversa blocked the Rome-Naples line, and set fire to trains. Explosions gutted warehouses and damaged gasworks. Many Targets for Airmen

Air attacks on the Naples area and continued naval bombardment on the Italian mainland were reported in Saturday’s communiques from North Africa. An air communique states: "Railway yards in Aversa and Benevento were attacked by medium bombers with lighter escort. Fourteen of a number of enemy aircraft encountered were shot down. Fighterbombers attacked the airfield at Monserrato, in Sardinia. "On Thursday night intruder aircraft operated against, railway targets in Southern Italy. Similar targets in this area were attacked yesterday by lighterbombers. Light bombers last night raided railway yards in Ivilla and Lilerne, North Naples. From all these operations 10 aircraft are missing." Shell Mainland A naval communique states: "A British naval force, in an operation in the Tyrrhenian Sea on Wednesday night, sank seven enemy landing craft off Sealea. On Thursday night an American naval force again shelled enemy positions in Gioia and Tauroa, in the Gulf of Gioia, on the Italian mainland. "After the capitulation of Lipari Islands to American naval forces on Tuesday it was found that the islands had been used by the Germans for military purposes, but ail German military personnel had departed a few days before surrender.” Planes Over Greece A Middle East air communique states: "R.A.F. Beaufighters continued to attack enemy sea, land and air communications in Western Greece on Thursday. A merchantman was attacked with cannon-fire. From these and other operations one aircraft is missing.” German Reinforcements The Zurich "Dietat’s” Italian correspondent. states that strong German military reinforcements are still entering Italy to strengthen the River Po defence line. Tire Germans are preparing the first defence line linking up Spezia, Reggio and Ferrara, behind which is a second line linking Milan. Brescia, and Venice. These formidable preparations are diminishing the Italian people’s peace hopes. j