AUGUSTA TAKEN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25278, 15 July 1943, Page 3

AUGUSTA TAKEN

RAPID ALLIED ADVANCE AXIS TANK ATTACK LONDON, July 13. The Allied troops in Sicily have made good>. progress, and in the southeastern corner now hold a sizeable piece of Italian territory, in some places 20 miles deep, according to correspondents, whose despatches were lodged after the latest communique was issued. The Allies? now hold Augusta, a naval base 30 miles to the north of Cape Passero, Floridia, eight miles inland from Syracuse, and Ragusa, which is the provincial capital. The capture of Augusta is not officially confirmed, but its fall seems certain, since the ' German radio announced that the Allied troops were pushing to the north from Augusta towards Catania.

Rome radio said Allied ships were already using the roadstead in Augusta Harbour. , Axis radio stations stated that fresh Allied troops had been landed near Catania, but this is not confirmed.

Algiers radio reports that the Americans are advancing to the west frrom Licata towards Agrigento. It also stated that the Americans met and threw back strong enemy counterattacks near Gela. One of the Italian prisoners in American hands is an Italian general. British and Canadian troops have captured Ragusa and Floridia. At Ragusa they joined up with the Americans. The capture of Ragusa practically involves command of the importaht Comiso airfield. ■ Axis tanks pierped the American lines in Southern Sicily yesterday and reached the beaches. The Americans regrouped, struck back savagely, and sealed the gap. A considerable number of enemy tanks were knocked out.' . The enemy appears to be nervous regarding possibilities in the western part of the island. It is obvious that if he rushes all his reserves to the east he is inviting a landing in the Trapani and Marsala areas. On the other ffiand, if , the enemy delays too long he may find himself cut off in another Cape Bon or Zaghouan. Berlin radio says that when the Axis command discovers at which point of Sicily the enemy intends to concentrate his attacks powerful countermeasures cart be expected. Algiers . radio reports that four Italian ' generals have been killed in action in Sicily. General Bavet, commander of the 206th Italian coastal division, was captured. The United States Secretary of War, Colonel Knox, announced in Washington that no American naval losses had been reported from Sicily so far.