SPEEDY RETREAT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25306, 17 August 1943, Page 3

SPEEDY RETREAT

THE AXIS FORCES ALLIES’ ARMIES OUTPACED RUGBY, Aug. 15. In Sicily the enemy is now withdrawing rapidly in front of both Allied armies, while the evacuation to the mainland continues apace. Throughout yesterday, whilst oiir bombers were attacking the beaches and landing craft in tne straits, the troops of the Seventh and Eighth Armies were unable to make contact with the enemy, who moved back at great speed the previous night. Again the Italians are being left behind to cover the German rear. The Germans have made a thorough job of blocking the roads, and have also laid extensive minefields. It is now a sappers’ war. The enemy evacuation of the island is going on by sea and air, but the Axis boats and planes are being constantly harried by Allied aircraft, which are taking a heavy toll. The Allied troops themselves are beginning to think drat the campaign is in the closing stage, as the Germans are displaying all their energy in getting to Italy as quickly as possible. The Algiers correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph says that because of the narrowing enemy front the Canadian Division in Sicily has been withdrawn from the line and is at present resting. Allied Casualties Light A high British officer stated that the Sicilian campaign had been a very economical victory. The Allied casualties had been less than half what the Allied Command had expected. The smallness of our losses had been due to surprise and the policy of not sacrificing one man if it could be avoided. The Americans advancing in North Sicily are now 18 miles from Messina. The latest reports indicate that the Seventh Army is now 10 miles from Milazzo, while the Eighth Army, pushing up the east coast, is five miles from Taormina. The Allied front is becoming more and more pincer-like. The majority of the Germans who are trapped in the pincers are hastily retreating over the 3000 ft mountains in the hope of reaching the evacuation beaches. The British and American troops are giving these Germans no respite. The only German hope of a temporary stand before the Allies close in is in the mountains north-west of Messina. American warships bombarded Miiazzo. Reuter’s correspondent, cabling from Fiumefreddo, says the Germans left the Italians to cover their retreat in this sector, but first made a thorough job of blocking the roads. The only things at present delaying our advance are the enemy’s extensive minefields and thorough demolitions. Great Air Activity

Operations by aircraft of the Mediterranean Air Command to hinder the enemy in the Messina Straits in evacuating troops and material are describsd by the Air Ministry as covering three areas: First, communications in Northeast Sicily; secondly, ports and shipping in the vicinity of the Straits of Messina; thirdly, communications in the toe of Italy as far north, roughly, as a line from Paolo on the west coast to Catanzaro on the east coast. Operations in the first area are being carried out chiefly by Mitchells, Bostons, and Baltimores based on Sicily and operating in direct support of the land forces. Two coastal roads to Messina—one from Patti in the west and the other from Riposto in the east—as, well as the road skirting the northern coast, have been the chief targets for these forces. Much confusion and delay have resulted from traffic blocks caused by these attacks. Targets in the second area—the Straits of Messina—consist of the town of Messina and ports from which the enemy is attempting to cross the straits bv means > of barges and other small craft, and the towns of Reggio di Calabria San Giovanni, and beaches on the mainland. These attacks are being kept up day and night almost inces-

santly, Mitchells bombing by night and Bostons, Fortresses, and fighterbombers by day. In this very stronglydefended area there is probably one of the greatest concentrations of flak ever assembled on any battlefield. The third area—the toe of linty—is chiefly important for the railway and road which run right round the coast—the road along which all stores and equipment to Axis armies must be brought. The road crosses many bridges, which are very prominent targets for our bomber force. The passage of supplies needed by the Axis to continue the struggle has been and is being seriouslv impeded by repeated attacks by Allied light, medium, and heavy bombers on these targets.