CHANGED TUNE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 September 1943, Page 4

CHANGED TUNE

GERMANS ABATE EARLIER BOASTS SITUATION MAY BE CHANGED RADICALLY. STATEMENT BY AMERICAN WAR SECRETARY. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 1.5 p.m.) LONDON, September 16. While the Germans had previously claimed that the Allies had begun an evacuation from Salerno, a German spokesman today told the Stockholm newspaper “Tidningen’s” Berlin correspondent: “The British troops are fighting fiercely and if they can merely retain their foothold the situation may be radically changed. We have every respect for the Eighth Army. Rommel and Montgomery seem to be meeting again. It is not possible to prevent Montgomery’s advance, but weak German forces are trying to delay him.” The Paris radio’s commentator, Jean Paquis, said a tribute must be paid to the courageous J?ifth Army for having succeeded in keeping its foothold at Salerno and the situation definitely had taken a better turn for the Allies. Mr Stimson (American. War Secretary; in his review of the war position, described Salerno as one of the most critical battles in the Mediterranean campaign. He declared that there had never been any thought of evacuation and added: "Thus far the forced on both sides have been evenly

matched numerically, but the Germans had the advantage of interior communication lines enabling them to bring up reinforcements and supplies more, quickly than the Allies. On the other hand, the British and Americans have a definite air superiority, handicapped somewhat because of the considerable distance they have to fly.” _ • Mr Stimson said heavy opposition was expected and Salerno constituted a risk undertaken deliberately because the prospects of success warranted it. The Allied losses on the Salerno front were heavy and the enemy’s likewise. The heaviest German attacks had been made against the British portion of the line, but at least one American division met a heavy enemy thrust.