Allies On Top In Mediterranean’s Biggest Battle

Northern Advocate, 27 September 1943, Page 3

Allies On Top In Mediterranean’s Biggest Battle

LONDON. September 26

The Allied barrage in the battle for Naples is described as heavier than at El Alamein, states the British United Press Algiers correspondent. The Allies so far are on top in the Mediterranean's biggest battle. The Germans are using many guns, mortars and tanks. The battle rages day and night. The hills echo with the thunder of guns. The British and Americans, north and north-west of Salerno, are firmly astride some of the roads leading to Naples through the mountains. Algiers radio says the British and Americans advanced several miles in the last 48 hours. Reuter’s Algiers correspondent says the Eighth Army, advancing up the east coast, occupied Canosa and reached Ofanto River, only 30 miles from the key network of German airfields around Foggia. American Casualties The United States War Department reports that, according to a Washington message, the total of killed, wounded and missing in fighting near Salerno to September 16 is 3497. The Germans claimed that between 8000 and 10,000 American soldiers were killed in this battle and an equal number were captured. More Ground Occupied Within the last few hours the Fifth Army occupied several square miles north and north-east of Salerno, says Algiers radio. Allied forces occupying the hills south of Naples Plain can clearly see the damage caused to German communications in Naples area. The Eighth Army, after an advanee of more than 15 miles, captured Molfetta. Berlin radio says that batteries of howitzers have been brought up, reinforcing the British attacking north of Salerno. Warships close to the beaches joined in the fighting. Will Soon Reach Plain The Fifth Army, fighting its way forward in a new offensive from Salerno, has already captured some heights overlooking Naples, and, according to the Algiers correspondent of Columbia Broadcasting System, we may soon hear that General Clark’s forces have reached Naples’ plain. Our artillery last night hammered enemy positions on the plain with a furious bombardment which split the whole landscape. In the Gulf of Salerno we are gradually clearing the Germans from high ground north and east of Salexmo. The Germans are fighting fiercely and taking the utmost advantage of the mountainous terrain.

The Fifth Army has taken over 2000 prisoners in the past 16 days Our casualties are officially stated to have been slight. Vichy radio says that the Fifth Army is moving on Pompeii and Mercato which are described, as the gateways to Naples’ plains. Pompeii commands Nocerta gap, past Vesuvius and Mercato, in the foothills of the Appenines.

Algiers radio reports that United States Rangers have landed on the beaches near Bastia from which the Germans are escaping from Corsica to Italy.

Algiers radio states that Moleftta, 15 miles north-east of Bari on the east coast of Italy has been captured by the Eighth Army.