AXIS TAKEN BY SURPRISE

Southland Times, Issue 25704, 13 July 1943, Page 5

AXIS TAKEN BY SURPRISE

ALLIED INVASION OF SICILY (8.0.W.) . RUGBY, July 11. Despite the denial of the German radio, there is no doubt now, states an agency correspondent at Allied headquarters in North Africa, that our troops effected a large-scale surprise when they landed in Sicily. One thing js certain. At the outset they were faced with only Italian coastal defences. It is well known that there are two schools of thought regarding the defence of coasts, that favouring a cordon defence along the beaches, which is generally unsound, and that favouring a mobile defence in depth, with the setting up of all kinds of small outposts, pillboxes and gun emplacements manned by small groups, whose main job it is to await the arrival of reinforcements to deliver the main blow. In the case of Sicily there is no doubt that the positions already captured give much greater and safer access by sea. “It was impressive to see this large collection of aircraft forming up into a long column and then go streaming off across the sea,” said a bomber officer who saw the air-borne troops go into action in Sicily after taking off from North Africa.” The journey was over 200 miles and darkness fell after a third of the journey was completed. The air was comparatively still over the water and there was no really rough weather to make things unpleasant for the gliders. During this time there was a regular exchange on the telephone between the glider pilot and the captain of the aircraft. “The first aircraft took the enemy unawares and the release was made without disturbing the defences. Later

they had the anti-aircraft defences to contend with, but most of the gliders released themselves in a position from which they could land on a prearranged spot.” “Without exception the crews of the towing craft reported the feeblest opposition. The searchlights could he counted on the fingers of one hand and the flak was never a menace. Several of the “tugs,” after dropping their gliders, spent a little time circling, “looking for trouble,” as one pilot said. They found none and all returned safely to the base. On the way out the air armada passed over its naval counterpart near Malta. Pilots reported that their gliders were released at the right points with plenty of height to reach their destinations. One was seen caught in a searchlight, but appeared to get through machinegun fire unharmed. A towing bomber had a fire in its starboard outer engine on the way out, but the pilot went on and delivered the glider at the right spot. DUTY OF NAVY ADMIRAL J2 me SSAGE (8.0.W.) RUGBY, July 11. “We are about to embark on the most momentous enterprise of the war—striking for the first time at the enemy on land,” thus Admiral of the Fleet Sir Andrew Cunningham, Com-mander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean, began the historic message which he sent on Friday to all ships taking part in the Sicilian operation. “Its success means the opening of a second front with all that that implies and the first move towards a rapid decision and the defeat of our enemies. Our object is clear and our primary duty is to place this vast expedition ashore in the minimum of time and subsequently to maintain our military and air forces as they drive relentlessly forward into enemy territory. “In the light of this duty great risks must be run and are to be accepted—the safety of our own ships and all distracting considerations are to be relegated to second place or disregarded as the accomplishment of our primary duty may require. “On every commanding officer, officer and rating lies the personal duty of ensuring that there shall be no flinching in our determination and no failure of effort on our own part which will hamper this great enterprise. I rest confident in the resolution, skill and | endurance of you all to whom this momentous enterprise has been entrusted.” “It was like a Spithead review, is how a naval officer described the scene off the Sicilian coast on Saturday. Long lines of ships of all types and all sizes were lying off the beaches and the only thing missing was the bunting. Landing craft were fussing backwards and forwards to the beaches, which were crowded with troops and naval and beach parties were supervising the unloading of equipment, guns and tanks which went on steadily throughout the day. HEAVY SWELL OFF COAST After the enemy coastal batteries had been silenced and our troops had broken through the beach defences there was very little sign that we had landed on enemy territory. During the early stages of the assault in the hours of darkness the weather made the landing of troops no easy task and a high wind caused a heavy swell. The Allied navies, however, carried out the job without any hitch. In an amphibious operation the Navy has complete charge until the troops actually put their feet on land and it overcame the many difficulties magnificently. The huge battle fleet which covered th' landing contained many Allied units and included a big American force taking part in its first amphibious operations in the European theatre. Cruisers and destroyers silenced many coastal batteries which opened fire on the Allied assault boats as they went in to the beaches. One of these batteries whose code name was “P for Peter” after being silenced by the warships began to fire again, but only spasmodically. Its shells never fell within range of the Allied ships, but apparently it annoyed the British admiral who sent the signal: “If ‘P for Peter’ opens his mouth again give him the works.” . Admiral of the Fleet Cunningham was at sea on Saturday afternoon visiting in turn the naval forces off the Sicilian coast and the naval forces working on the beaches. By this time the swell had died down and it was a lovely summer afternoon. As we passed through the long line of ships we saw a big transport unloading tanks into landing craft and we watched troops being taken ashore without any interference from the enemy. The only excitement was when a solitary enemy aircraft dropped a stick of bombs into the sea about two miles away. The little coast towns all looked deserted.