HOUR STRUCK

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24633, 12 July 1943, Page 3

HOUR STRUCK

ROME ADMISSION FUTURE OF ITALY "FIGHT TO THE LAST" (Heed. 0.15 p.m.) LONDON. July 11 "Zero hour has struck," stated the Rome radio yesterday. "We face it with serenity and firmness. The populace and the armed forces, particularly those in Sicily, are in the best of spirits. Our hard people know to-day more than ever that the fight must, if necessary, be fought to the last drop of blood.

"The enemy's chief aim is not military, but political, namely, to oust Italy from the war, which would mean an enormous political gain. Our people will have ready for the enemy a number of great surprises. Outcome ol Fight

"We will make the enemy's progress tremendously costly," the Rome radio added, "because each Italian soldier knows that the outcome of the fight will be either slavery or life for Italy." One of Mussolini's spokesmen broadcasting, said: "The Allies have overcome the first barrier of our defences." The Rome radio said that the Allies were fighting to got control of other harbours for further landings. Writing in the Giornale d'ltalia, Mussolini's press spokesman, Gayda, says: "The attack against the Italian outer positions had hardly begun when it- encountered the fiercest resistance. The German and Italian forces, supported by the proud and indomitable spirit of the Sicilian people, are making the enemy realise that Sicily is not a front waiting to be plucked, and that he is not being received with open arms as a liberator. The whole of the Italian nation is determined on battle, for which it possesses the spiritual and military means." Axis Reinforcements The German overseas radio's special reporter in Sicily said: "The fortifications of Sicily cannot he compared with the Atlantic Wall, but the men who man them are imbued with the same spirit. Mobile reserves are waiting in the mountains for the signal calling theni to battle. There are forbidden military zones everywhere. Giant batteries protect the coast, behind which stand the most modern German tanks.

"The German and Italian generals who drew up the plans of defence are all in the front line. Reinforcements of tanks and motorised troops are pouring into the island. Thousands of Sicilians line the streets admiring the modern German weapons. The German soldiers literally are covered with flowers. The populace is calm and is confidently expecting that the invasion will be repulsed.'' It cannot he doubted that the Italians will fight bravely and with the utmost determination in the defence of Sicily and, if and when the time comes, ,in defence of the mainland, says the diplomatic writer of the Press Association. Stirring Up Fervour Reports indicate that Italian morale is fairly good. There is some slight disaffection in the bombed areas, but even this is certain to disappear now that the Allies have landed on Italian soil in Europe. There have been many purges in certain sections of the Fascist Party, designed to give it a firmer hand over the people. The Italian. Royal Family also has been brought into the limelight in the past few months with the obvious object of increasing patriotic fervour in face of the threat of an invasion.

As this threat increased German control of Italy became, on the surface, less apparent. Italian detestation of all things German has not decreased. Steps were taken, for instance, to ensure that German officers in Italy wore civilian clothes. The food situation in Italy is not good and military operations are likely to increase the shortages.

BEGINNING OF END FRANCE NOT FORGOTTEN BUILDING ARMY'S STRENGTH (Reed. 0.10 p.m.) WASHINGTON. July 10 President Roosevelt addressed General Giraud and other guests at a dinner party at White House shortly before 10 o'clock (American time) last night, and described the invasion of Sicily as the beginning of the end. He said he had just had advice of the first attack against the soft underbelly of the Axis in Europe.

He asked his guests not to reveal the news, because of previous arrangements lor simultaneous announcements in Algiers, Washington and London.

After referring to Mr, Churchill's "end of the beginning" statement last nutumn, the President added: "I think we can almost say this action to-night is the beginning of the end. "We are going to be ashore in the naval, air and military sense. Once there, we shall have the opportunity of going in different directions, and we have not forgotten that France is in one of the directions. Even if a move is not directed at this moment against France itself, the ultimate objective is the liberation of the people of France, not merely in the south, but in Northern France. "We .have not won the war yet, but one happy thing is that, with the help of General Giraud. we have unified the military situation. We want to help to rearm the French forces and build French strength so that, when the time comes, from the military point of view, when we get into France itself and throw the Germans out, there will be a French A rmy and French ships working with the British and ourselves." ONLY FIRST PHASE LIBERATION OF CONTINENT LONDON, July 11 General Eisenhower's headquarters broadcast a warning to Frenchmen telling them that the invasion of Sicily wns but the first phase in the liberation of the Continent. He said there would be other calls upon the French people, fn the meantime they must remain calm and not, be deceived. "W hen the hour of action strikes." he added, "we will let you know." Another broadcast gave the news to Germany ami to Italy. Warnings similar to that given to France were given to Greece and Yugoslavia.

MILLIONS OF LEAFLETS (Real. 11,10 p.m.) WASHINGTON, July II The Ollico of War Infonuation states that the invasion of Sicily was preceded by the dropping of millions of pamphlets and by special radio broadcasts designed to break tin; Sicilians' morale. A group of represent at ires of the _ Ollico of War information accompanied the invading armies to conduct psychological warfare. The next step will be the release of pamphlets urging the enemy soldiers to surrender.

REPRISALS ON CRETE (Rml o.rifi p.a. )» LONDON. Julv 10 The C ■ crman authorities on Crete arc reported to have arrested hostages from many towns on the island as a reprisal for tin 1 recent British r;iid. says (he Istanbul correspondent of the Associated Press. The hostages were, taken particularly from towns in the vicinity of thi l airfields which the raiders destroyed. Allied aircraft have been attacking objectives in Crete and dispersed aircraft- wore hit. Five Axis bombers wero shot down and five more damaged. j