THE ITALIAN NAVY

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

THE ITALIAN NAVY

: lack of destroyers (Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, July 14. “Lack of destroyers is imposing inaction upon the Italian Naval Command,” the Daily Telegraph’s naval correspondent. He points out that the two Italian fleets have not attempted to put to sea since the Allied, invasion of Sicily. "It is doubtful,” he says, “whether Italy at present could send to sea more than 25 destroyers. The Italian destroyer strength was so whittled away when these craft were responsible for escorting reinforcements and supplies for the Axis armies in North Africa and the Dodecanese that the Italian Navy now has insufficient destroyers for the needs of even one fleet.” “ French troops are fighting at the side of the Allies in Sicily,” said General Giraud in his first public speech in America. Addressing West Point cadets, he said: “The battle for Tunisia was the first victory. To-day in Sicily British, American, and some French troops are winning an even greater victory. To-morrow they will liberate Europe, but the task will remain in the Pacific, where French troops will also fight at ydur side until the final victory js won.”