HOLD TIGHTENED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25277, 14 July 1943, Page 3

HOLD TIGHTENED

ALLIED BRIDGEHEADS MANY TOWNS OCCUPIED RUGBY, July 12. To-day’s despatches from headquarters indicate that the Allies are firmly established on two bridgeheads in Sicily. The British forces, under General Montgomery, hold Syracuse and all the towns on the road running south-west from Syracuse to Pozzallo, on the south coast. The total line probably exceeds 30 miles, and the triangle of the captured territory stretches back at least 15 miles to Cape Passero. The American bridgehead begins 20 miles further west, at Scoglitti, and I also extends along a front of abqut 35 miles to beyond Licata, over which the American flag flies. # The heaviest of seven counterattacks reported by headquarters was at Gela, about the middle of the United States bridgehead, where the enemy used at least 45 tanks. The enemy is reported to be moving reinforcements from the western side of the island. No Naval Interference There has been no serious naval interference with the Allied fleets and transports, but at night a hospital ship carrying 400 casualties, fully lighted according to the rules, was sunk byair attack three miles off the coast. All the wounded were safely taken off. Some of the toughest fighting has been done by parachutists of a famous English unit, who landed late on Friday night. A high wind made the drop difficult, and tended to disperse them. They reached their objective, but were not in .enough strength to hold it, and were driven off. They managed to join the sea-borne forces, however, with whom they returned and stormed their objective. During the fighting the enemy actually made a cavalry charge. This is probably the first time in history that a battle has been fought between parachutists and mounted cavalry. According to delayed despatches from advanced British headquarters, by 10 a.m. yesterday our invasion troops had already driven 10 miles inland. One British force alone is r reported to have captured 1000 of the enemy, in the first few hours of the invasion. Seven of the tanks knocked out on Saturday were French, manned iby Italians. The most substantial opposition met in the first 30 hours was in the hills west of Noto. One despatch emphasises that the most remarkable feature of the whole operation was the fact that no attempt whatever was made by the enemy planes to attack the large and tempting target offered by assault craft as they made their way to the shore through heavy seas. Enemy bombers did Attack shipping later in the day, but there was no aerial opposition whatever to the original landings. Mussolini’s Message Mussolini has sent a message to the Axis forces in Sicily. It is quoted by Rome radio as: “I am with you m spirit.” The anti-Fascist group in Italy has agreed on a policy for a constitutional democratic republic. This united antiFascist front has called oh all Italians who want to co-operate in the work of reconstruction to join the movement It says that after Fascism has been destroyed Italians who have been forced into the Fascist Party under threat of losing their jobs will be given another chance, but financial and industrial groups who waited until they saw Italy was likely to lose the war would be treated differently. The United States Secretary of State for War, Mr Cordell Hull, said to-day that plans were being made to provide relief for the people of Sicily as the Allies took over. Only a few hours after being taken prisoner, Italians in Sicily were cheerfully helping to unload stores from. Allied landing craft, reports Reuter’s correspondent. The first prisoners captured at dawn on Saturday descended from the hill on which they were fighting and surrendered. A British naval officer commented: “ It was the same as at Pantellaria.” Sicily was only one small bridgehead, Mr Mackenzie King told the Canadian House of Commons to-day, according to an Ottawa message. There must be many others before the battle was even begun. The first critical period had passed in Sicily, but the most critical period was to come. The number of Canadians engaged was substantial. “The battle for Europe has now been joined,” he said. “It must be fought to a finish.” Next Phase Opening The first real clash with the Germans came yesterday morning, when the Eighth Army engaged them at Floridia, eight miles west of Syracuse. Fierce fighting ensued. After a day’s hard movement the British gained control of Floridia and the escarpment,. and all positions were firmly established. Under moonlight near Syracuse the next phase is opening. The capture of Syracuse means that within 24 hours the invaders have captured a major port, on the secure possession of which successful exploitation of the landings depends. Syracuse has an excellent natural harbour which can accommodate large steamers.

An Allied headquarters communique announces the capture of Syracuse, Gela, and Licata. It states: The following major ports have been captured:—Syracuse, Avola, Pachino, Pozzallo, Scoglitti, Gela, Licata, Ispica, Rosolini, and Noto. The advance continues. The task of disembarking troops and supplies on the beaches continues according to plan. On the whole the weather has improved. The surrender of Pozzallo was accepted by the commanding officer of a destroyer early in the afternoon of Sunday.