MADE BY ALLIED FORCES IN SICILY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 July 1943, Page 3

MADE BY ALLIED FORCES IN SICILY

Further Important Towns Taken SEVEN THOUSAND PRISONERS CAPTURED BY AMERICANS INCLUDING AN ITALIAN GENERAL LONDON, July 13. Allied troops in Sicily have made good progress. In the south-eastern corner of the island they now hold a sizeable piece of Italian territory, in places over 20 miles deep. They have captured the town of Palazzolo, 30 miles north of Cape Passer o. Correspondents announce the capture of three more towns, including Augusta, 10 miles north of Syracuse and Ragusa, an important town in the south-eastern part of the island. The capture of these places is not confirmed officially, though a communique had mentioned that Allied patrols had reached the outskirts of Ragusa. The fall of Augusta seems certain, as the German radio admits that Allied forward troops have advanced beyond the town towards Catania, 20 miles further on. The Axis also states that British troops have landed near Catania, but this report is not confirmed. The Americans have advanced from Licata towards Agrigento, 35 miles further west. The latest tally of Axis prisoners taken by the Americans is 7,000. Enemy resistance is now stiffening, according to the Algiers radio. The Americans have thrown back a strong enemy counter-attack near Gela. One of the prisoners taken by the Americans is an Italian general.