Foggia’s Capture Is Major Allied Victory

Northern Advocate, 1 October 1943, Page 3

Foggia’s Capture Is Major Allied Victory

(Rec. 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 30. Specialised Allied repair squads entered Foggia immediately its capture was assured and within a few hours had aerodromes working and planes were able to operate and bomb the railway line 100 miles north of the city.

There is general endorsement here of President Roosevelt’s statement that the capture of Foggia airfield is one of the most important successes yet achieved by the Allies in Italy. Foggia has 13 airfields lying around it. It is only 450 miles from Munich 400 miles from Vienna, and 350 miles from Bolzano, which is just south of the Brenner Pass. Great Advantages

The North African correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” comments: “That Kesselring could not defend Foggia is proof that all his available force were grouped around Naples and that they were insufficient to enable him to fight for both of them. He chose to defend Naples, despite the fact that Foggia will provide the Allies not only with bases for the tactical air force, but also for the strategic air force, which has been brought within easy range of the whole of the Balkans, as well as Austria and Southern Germany.” He adds that while the Germans are bound to have left extensive mining and demolitions, the airfields can be put into operational order within two or three days. Allied Reinforcements Poured In

The “Daily Telegraph” editorially comments that the possession of Foggia suggests that Allied reinforcements have been pouring in through Taranto and Brindisi and possibly Bari.

The “News Chronicle’s” military writer believes the fall of Foggia is “a great triumph,” but suggests that time will be required to build up an organisation for bombing fleets and amassing stores, spares and accessories and an additional supply of fuel, ammunition and bombs. The message adds: “Occupation of Foggia should prove a decisive factor which will vastly accelerate completion of Allied operation in Italy. With Foggia in our hands the fall of Naples is bound to follow soon.”

Foggia’s bases will of course provide fighter cover as far as Rome. The “Daily Express” correspondent (Mr Alan Moorhead) states that a sudden vast change has. overtaken the area behind the battlefront in Italy The Italians who greatly outnumber British and Americans are beginning to administer the country for the Allies “just as though there had never been such a thing as the Axis. They are starting to man roads, railways, ports and military encampments. We have instructions not to treat this as occupied territory, but the country of a friendly ally. The King and Badoglio are setting up an entirely new Government on Italian soil. In an astonishing short space of one fortnight, the Italians, without any notable exceptions, are turning their guns round on their former allies. Italy “Co-Belligerent”

With negotiations between the Allies and Badoglio drawing to an end, it is assumed that the Allies will attempt to solidify the loyalty of the Italians to King Emmanuel by presenting him “in a protective setting of other leaders who could attract the sympathy of liberals,” says the “New York Times’* Algiers political correspondent. The picture shows the Allies are about to take a major political step in Italy which is certain to draw critical attacks at home but which commanders believe best in the prosecution of the war.

Italy is now described in London as a “co-belligerent” of the United Nations in the fight against Germany, but it is emphasised that this position does not confer on her any special rights or status. On the contrary it is taken to mean that Italy is being given a chance to “work her passage” and final enforcement of armistice terms will depend on how the Italians co-operate with British and American forces,