THE NEXT MOVE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 201, 26 August 1943, Page 4

THE NEXT MOVE

succeeded so quickly in Sicily, and the air arm having pounded the lines of communication in the south of Italy, the next move of the armies in the Mediterranean seems to be fairly clearly indicated. The attacks upon the outpost islands of Italy are no doubt already scheduled in order to keep the seaways to the mainland clear. There are. however, small difficulties—comparatively speaking—in the attackers crossing the Straits of Messina, which arc only two miles wide at the narrowest point. Landing operations would be’possible under the protection of the guns mounted on the Sicilian eoast, but, it, should not be forgotten that the coastal strip on the “toe” of Italy is precipitous and volcanic in origin and actual landing operations, if not well managed, could be costly indeed. The delay which is likely to occur in this area may be due to the determination that there shall be no stumbling. Tim Italians have it in their own hands to decide whether they shall allow their country to become a shambles through the Germans remaining to fight their battles on Italian soil. If the Germans are evicted from Italy—and that is the task which the Italians must undertake if they want to enjoy the peace for which they long—-the Italians can then sue for peace and get it. While they continue either to harbour German troops or to allow them to remain the war must go on.