Fifth Army Enters Ruined Napels

Northern Advocate, 2 October 1943, Page 5

Fifth Army Enters Ruined Napels

Last 12 Miles Joyride, Nazis Having Fled In Darkness

Allied Battleships

Gave Final Death Blow

(Received 12 Noon)

LONDON, October 1

THE FIFTH ARMY ENTERED NAPLES TODAY. THE CITY 1 IS CLEAR OF GERMANS, WHO CARRIED OUT VERY HEAVY DESTRUCTION BEFORE QUITTING. The advance over the last 12 miles to Naples was a joyride for the British and Americans, said Reuter’s correspondent with the Fifth Army. German resistance ended at Three Annunziata. Last night the Germans fled under cover of darkness after fighting all day.

Allied spearheads already are pushing on beyond Naples towards Aversa and Capua. Their eyes are on Rome, about 100 miles ahead.

The Allies entered Naples at 8 a.m. local time today. Five German divisions defending the city escaped, but many rearguard formations, including some of the finest troops were annihilated.

Algiers radio says Italian troops co-operated in the capture of Naples, guarding lines of communication and leaving the Allies free for offensive action.

A Fifth Army column, outflanking Naples from the east, captured the city, which was in ruins when the Allied troops made a triumphant entry.

All German pockets of resistance have been mopped up, adds Algiers radio. The death blow to the German stand was the pummelling the Allied battleships, lying offshore yesterday, gave the defence positions.

Roosevelt Discusses Rome’s Position The next German move was discussed today by President Roosevelt at a Press conference at Washington. He did not commit himself as to where it is likely, but he did give some particulars of the present state of affairs in Rome.

Under A Pall Of Smoke

For the past week there has been a huge black pall of smoke’ hanging over it. The Germans sank ships in the harbour, destroyed the water supply and blew up buildings of military value in an attempt to deny the Allies the use of Naples as a port and military centre. Wanton Destruction The enemy diet not confine himself to buildings of military importance Many beautiful and historical places, including the famous Royal Palace are reported to have been wantonly destroyed. The Germans are also retreating east of Naples. While the left flank of the Fifth Army was closing in on the city yesterday, men ol' the right flank were marching into, the important road and railway junction of Avellino, about 30 miles east of Naples. This advance brings our forces close to the line of Ihe Volturno River, which, it is thought possible, the Germans mgiht defend. Berlin radio said that bitter street fighting against Italian rebels occurred during the demolitions. The Germans Had to fight fiercely before completing destruction. Taken By a Jeep Noel Monks cabled that Naples was "taken by a jeep carrying three American correspondents and himself. “We drove in ahead of the AngloAmerican patrols, which were waiting outside the city. Thousands of yelling and hysterical people rushed up, tore us bodiiy from the jeep and smothered us with embraces. The crowd grew until 20,000 were pressing around the jeep, 'where it stayed until the first patrol cars arrived. They were then swamped under an avalanche cf screeching humans. Amazing Scenes “Above the hubbub, cries of 'Saved,’ ‘Liberty for Everyone,’ ‘Long Live Britain and America,’ were heard. Hundreds of Italian soldiers fired rifles ■ into the air. “It must have been one of the most amazing scenes in Italian history, and certainly in the history of Naples.’’ Closing In On City

The Pope Not Besieged

The city, he said, was occupied by German forces, and the Vatican was virtually surrounded. Although the Pope was not in a state of siege, he had not anything resembling complete freedom, because German troops were stationed round St. Peter’s Square, practically in his front garden. The President added that he hoped monuments and the historical part of • Rome would be recovered by the Allies without destruction. Everything possible would be done to protect the Vatican. The Germans’ Object Germans would try to induce destruction in Rome by Allied forces, and he indicated that American forces would be alert against any such effort. British Bear Brunt The British suffered heavier casualties at Salerno than the Americans, says the Associated Press, commenting on Mr Stimson's statement which revealed 3500 American casualties to September 16, while a London announcement put British casualties at 5211 to September 20. There is no official explanation from Washington, but it is recalled that British units in the early days of the battle, engaged the German armoured forces which presumably caused heavy losses. It is understood that Allied forces landing at Salerno were composed equally of British and Americans. East Front Tactic" Fierce fighting is in progress around Fompeii, says Vichy radio. The Allies are throwing in a great number of tanks. German rearguards at present are warding off the onrush but the main body of the Fifth Army is pressing hard. Algiers radio says that Italian antiFascists in Naples, working in cooperation with the advance of the Fifth Army, already control part of the city. Unconfirmed reports from Berlin reaching Stockholm state that Naples is evacuated but information from Swedish correspondents indicates that the city is untenable owing to air destruction and so-called Communists. Berlin radio says that the High Command is about to make completely newdefensive dispositions in central Italy in accordance with the principles on which movements on the eastern front are based. The German command intends to hold as short a line as possible. Stiff and Costly Fight The battle for Naples, especially on the British wing, was as stiff as any fighting in Africa, says Reuter’s Algiers correspondent. It caused casualties by the thousand, but not tens of thousands as the Germans claimed. The Germans hung on to the city until the last possible moment, but its fall was inevitable after the British break-through in the Salerno mountains earlier in the week. Port Damage Not Irreparable Correspondents say that the Germans strove to make the destruction of the port of Naples, which is capable of taking the largest vessels, drawing 36 feet, as complete as possible, but engineers report that it may be made usable within days. It is expected that the harbour will soon be busy with Allied shipping. City Of Ruin Anti Desolation The Fifth Army has captured Naples. The Germans are reported to have evacuated the city before our troops entered. News of the Fifth Army’s entry into Naples came from Allied Headquarters ’ and the city is reported to have been cleared of the Germans. The Fifth Army troops who today ' occupied Naples are already reported to be pushing on northwards. Entry into the city was made at 8 o’clock this morning. Spearheads Pushing North An agency correspondent says that Fifth Army spearheads are pushing northwards to the two next important centres on the road to Rome. Reports from Allied Headquarters describe the Fifth Army’s entry into Naples. Five German divisions defending the city managed to get away. Many of the enemy’s rearguards, including some of his finest troops, arc said to have been wiped out. A Great Prize ■'Naples is one of the greatest prizes which has fallen into our hands. It is the biggest city in southern Italy, and one of the largest ports in the Mediterranean. The city has often been . as the most. beautiful city in the world, but the Germans, according to all accounts, " have made it a •A city of ruin and desolation.

Vichy radio tonight declared: “Naples is no longer inside the German defence line of southern Italy.” Earlier reports from Allied headquarters stated that British armoured columns were closing in on Naples from the south and south-east. Besides bombardment from British battleships some units of the Italian fleet have engaged the Germans. Reuter’s correspondent at Allied headquarters reports that Fifth Army lank and motorised infantry spearheads are thrusting relentlessly around the slopes of Vesuvius. The last official news was that our troops were only a few miles from the city,

The Germans withdrew from Pompeii in good order under cover of rearguards. Warm weather has replaced rain and troops pushed forward to face accurate German fire, minefields and demolitions.

The Milan newspaper “d’ltalia” states that several thousand Brit-

ish prisoners freed by the Ital-

ians after the armistice succeeded

in arming - themselves and, are now fighting their way to Apulia to

join General Montgomery’s forces fighting northward. Italy As Ally

General Eisenhower conferred with Marshal Badoglio aboard His Majesty’s ship nelson at Malta, says an Algiers message. Those present included General Alexander, Admiral Cunningham, Air Marshal Tedder, Mr MacMillan and Mr Murphy, also members of Marshal Badoglio’s military, naval and air staff.

The communique stated the principal topic for . discussion was: “The method for making the most effective Italian military effort against .the common enemy, Germany.” The communique added that some units of the Italian military, air and naval forces already have been engaged actively against the Germans. A Red Herring

German stories of Communist riots in Naples are obviously an attempt to cover their sack of the city, declares the “Daily Telegraph.” The Madrid., cox-respondent of the “Daily Mail” "says that It seems that Eerlin has awakened to the terrorism which’ has gripped Naples for a week and is making a last minute attempt to shift the responsibility. In Difficult Country It was officially announced eai'lier that Avellino has been captured. Cairo i-adio says that the Allies have occupied Toi'ro Annunziata.

An Algiers communique said that the Fifth Army was making good progress. Allied troops continue to move towards Naples in difficult country where the enemv was using demolitions to the full extent. ' . L:

The Eighth Army was advancing according to plan. Algiers radio says that Allied bombing attacks have cut the Naples-Rome railway at six points.