Wartime News Coverage from The Madera Tribune.
"Swarming on Beaches"
Introduction:
The Madera Tribune is another newspaper found at the California Digital Newspaper Collection (CDNC).
Though the Canadians in Combined Operations rarely received specific mention, they did play a significant role in transporting men and all the materials of war to Sicily's shores from July 10 into the first week of August.
In memoirs, they recall the pounding Sicily took, and were fortunate that landing crafts made small targets and limestone caves with thick roofs were available for relatively safe accommodation.
Copyright and Photo Credits: California Digital Newspaper Collection.
From July 10, 1943 issue of The Madera Tribune, California:
SICILY BLASTED BEFORE PUSH
Every Unit of Allied Air Forces Struck
ALLIED HEADQUARTERS IN NORTH AFRICA, July 10.—Every unit in the North Africa air forces pounded at Sicily all day Friday to hit five airdromes, score on several merchant ships and possibly a submarine and break up the island’s communications in paving the way for allied landings.
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MORE ALLIED ASSAULTS
TO COME
Attack on Sicily to Be Followed Quickly
By Other Invasions
LONDON, July 10. British military observers hinted strongly today that the allied invasion of Sicily may be followed quickly by other and possibly more important landings around the northern rim of the Mediterranean.
With apparently intentional vagueness, informants asserted that the Sicilian operation should not be regarded as “the only landing or even THE landing.”
FOLLOWING PLAN
Informants described the invasion of an “operation in force” which, according to latest reports reaching London, is "going according to plan.” On the basis of scanty reports available, military observers said, heavy and difficult fighting is expected before the invasion forces succeed In establishing firm bridgeheads. Apparently because other operations may be impending, these observers were reluctant to describe the Sicilian attack as the opening of a “second front.”
ENEMY FORCE
ENEMY FORCE
An estimated 300,000 Italian troops plus 100,000 Germans, including a division of combat troops and Luftwaffe units, are defending Sicily, it was believed. The axis forces were thought to have some armor on the island but the exact strength was not known.
Recent reconnaissance showed the main coastal defenses situated between Messina and Catania, around Syracuse, on the south coast between Agricento and Gela and on the west coast between Marsala and Palermo.
Bombardment by Allied Warships And Attacks by Bomber And Fighter Planes Are Hammering Path For Yankee And British Land Forces in Assault
ALLIED HEADQUARTERS. North Africa. July 10. The United Nations opened the battle of Europe today by sending powerful invasion forces swarming onto the beaches of Sicily, and the first eyewitness report said a bombardment by allied warships had "started a chain of smoke and flames” stretching 10 miles into the island.
A mighty aerial umbrella aided the allied invasion forces which were make up of American, British, and Canadian troops. Meagre and unofficial reports said the invasion aided by heavy naval support was “proceeding according to plan.”
STIFF RESISTANCE
Recent reconnaissance showed the main coastal defenses situated between Messina and Catania, around Syracuse, on the south coast between Agricento and Gela and on the west coast between Marsala and Palermo.
"Every diamond counts!"
* * * * *
BATTLE OF EUROPE IS STARTED
Powerful Forces Are Swarming on Beaches
Under Air Umbrella
ALLIED HEADQUARTERS. North Africa. July 10. The United Nations opened the battle of Europe today by sending powerful invasion forces swarming onto the beaches of Sicily, and the first eyewitness report said a bombardment by allied warships had "started a chain of smoke and flames” stretching 10 miles into the island.
A mighty aerial umbrella aided the allied invasion forces which were make up of American, British, and Canadian troops. Meagre and unofficial reports said the invasion aided by heavy naval support was “proceeding according to plan.”
STIFF RESISTANCE
Indications were that the axis defenders were putting up a stiff fight. (Axis communiques reported that the fighting was heavy on the southeastern coast of Sicily, and said decisive counterblows had been struck against the invaders. British sources suggested that other and more important blows might be struck against the fortress of Europe soon.)
The allied amphibious operations under the command of General Dwight D. Eisenhower began after two weeks of mounting aerial onslaught that was continued by hundreds of airplanes up to Friday, when U. S. Liberators from the middle east smashed Comiso and Taormina, 30 miles south of Messina, causing heavy damage.
A furious naval barrage that illuminated sections of the Sicilian coast opened the invasion operations in darkness as the allied fleet—including battleships —threaded through the enemy mine field and put assault troops ashore in tank-carrying barges. There was no immediate indication that Mussolini’s scattered and battered Italian fleet accepted the challenge to fight the invasion.
SECOND FRONT
The allied amphibious operations under the command of General Dwight D. Eisenhower began after two weeks of mounting aerial onslaught that was continued by hundreds of airplanes up to Friday, when U. S. Liberators from the middle east smashed Comiso and Taormina, 30 miles south of Messina, causing heavy damage.
A furious naval barrage that illuminated sections of the Sicilian coast opened the invasion operations in darkness as the allied fleet—including battleships —threaded through the enemy mine field and put assault troops ashore in tank-carrying barges. There was no immediate indication that Mussolini’s scattered and battered Italian fleet accepted the challenge to fight the invasion.
SECOND FRONT
The first phase of the attack on Sicily, regarded popularly as the opening move in establishment of a second front, was designed to establish bridgeheads and strong axis opposition was anticipated in the air and on the ground.
(London reports as describing the greatest allied offensive of the war suggested that parachute and air-borne troops were used by the allies to crash through the strong Sicilian defenses, manned by an estimated 300,000 Italians and Germans.
The allied invasion forces, specially trained in American-built landing barges for many weeks, were reported meeting “strong resistance” in the first phase of fighting on European soil just two months after the last axis forces were driven from Africa.
LANDING TOLD
(London reports as describing the greatest allied offensive of the war suggested that parachute and air-borne troops were used by the allies to crash through the strong Sicilian defenses, manned by an estimated 300,000 Italians and Germans.
The allied invasion forces, specially trained in American-built landing barges for many weeks, were reported meeting “strong resistance” in the first phase of fighting on European soil just two months after the last axis forces were driven from Africa.
LANDING TOLD
Eisenhower, following issuance of a communique announcing the landing, broadcast a message to occupied France in which he described the invasion of Sicily as “the first stage in the liberation of the European continent” and told the French people to remain calm until they were called upon to act, which he hinted might be soon.
The crossing of the 90-mile “moat” from Tunisia to the rugged island of Sicily, which once had 4,000,000 population, was made in all types of naval craft, including special landing barges brought under their own power from the United States to strike at Italy just three years and one month after Mussolini stabbed France in the back. (There was no mention of French troops taking part in the invasion of Sicily).
For two weeks huge allied air fleets based in southwest Africa and the middle east had hammered at Sicily with thousands of tons of bombs, seeking to knock out Axis air power, demolish air bases, destroy railroad facilities and ports, and isolate the island from the Italian mainland. For the last seven days the air attack had been almost continuous, day and night.
FLEET ASSEMBLED
The crossing of the 90-mile “moat” from Tunisia to the rugged island of Sicily, which once had 4,000,000 population, was made in all types of naval craft, including special landing barges brought under their own power from the United States to strike at Italy just three years and one month after Mussolini stabbed France in the back. (There was no mention of French troops taking part in the invasion of Sicily).
For two weeks huge allied air fleets based in southwest Africa and the middle east had hammered at Sicily with thousands of tons of bombs, seeking to knock out Axis air power, demolish air bases, destroy railroad facilities and ports, and isolate the island from the Italian mainland. For the last seven days the air attack had been almost continuous, day and night.
FLEET ASSEMBLED
Then the converted freighters, the big battleships, the fast destroyers, the heavily armed cruisers and the new type landing barges—heavily armed and heavily protected—were assembled by the hundreds and put out in darkness from the African coast. Crouching in the barges and jammed aboard the transports were American troops that had been practicing invasion assaults for weeks and were toughened and ready for the hardest battle of their lives.
There were Canadian troops, too —the rough-and-ready soldiers who had been waiting (presumably until recently in England) for the chance to avenge their comrades who tell at Dieppe and had long been promised the honor spearheading the invasion of Hitler’s fortress.
The British forces, which chased Nazi Marshal Erwin Rommel across Africa and into the sea, were the third part of the allied team which struck at Sicily in an operation that found land, sea and air forces cooperating magnificently under Eisenhower’s command.
Meanwhile, back at the local theatre...
LONDON, July 10. Allied forces—estimated by the Axis at a million men in the Mediterranean theater—launched the greatest United Nations offensive of the war today as the first long step toward knocking Italy out of the war.
Allied strategy is believed in responsible circles to call for an attempt to over run Sicily at high speed and push on toward the Italian mainland, if possible, without giving the Axis time to catch Its breath.
There were also indications that the Allies are holding forces in readiness at other points along the 2000-mile Mediterranean front to strike wherever the Axis appears to be vulnerable from the Dodecanese islands to Crete on Corsica, but thus far there has been no sign of an assault other than the invasion of Sicily.
The allied attack under General Dwight D. Eisenhower was believed to be in heavy force, especially strengthened by the arrival of Canadian divisions which have been spoiling for a fight since Dieppe and now have a chance to get into a real one alongside the Americans and Britain’s finest, which presumably include the Eighth Army under General Sir Edward L. Montgomery. The American forces were believed to be picked divisions, including the 2nd corps which became a veteran outfit in the battle of Tunisia.
The allied strength thrown against the barbed wire, the pill boxes and the coastal batteries of Sicily was not indicated but German propaganda reports had guessed that there were between 57 and 64 Allied divisions available in the entire Mediterranean theatre. These were said by the Axis to include 15 to 20 armored divisions and other specialists.
ALLIED HEADQUARTERS IN NORTH AFRICA, July 10. Allied airplanes of virtually every type, including the new A-36 fighter-bomber, were reported giving the invasion forces in Sicily a strong aerial cover this morning. Weather conditions apparently were good.
From The Madera Tribune, 12 July 1943:
ALLIED HEADQUARTERS IN NORTH AFRICA, July 12. Axis forces sank a fully loaded allied hospital ship Saturday night during the Sicilian operations, it was disclosed today. Four hundred wounded troops were transferred from the ship without loss of life. The hospital ship was sunk about three mies off the Sicilian coast.
WASHINGTON, July 12. One year, seven months and five days after congress declared war on Germany in 1917, final victory came to the United States and her allies.
One year, seven months and five days after Pearl Harbor —today—finds the United States and her allies engaged in their first assault upon the fortress of Europe.
TURN OF TIDE
* * * * *
Meanwhile, back at the local theatre...
* * * * *
MILLION MEN ARE POUNDING AT ITALIANS
Quick Overrunning of Sicily Is Believed Eisenhower’s Program
LONDON, July 10. Allied forces—estimated by the Axis at a million men in the Mediterranean theater—launched the greatest United Nations offensive of the war today as the first long step toward knocking Italy out of the war.
Allied strategy is believed in responsible circles to call for an attempt to over run Sicily at high speed and push on toward the Italian mainland, if possible, without giving the Axis time to catch Its breath.
There were also indications that the Allies are holding forces in readiness at other points along the 2000-mile Mediterranean front to strike wherever the Axis appears to be vulnerable from the Dodecanese islands to Crete on Corsica, but thus far there has been no sign of an assault other than the invasion of Sicily.
The allied attack under General Dwight D. Eisenhower was believed to be in heavy force, especially strengthened by the arrival of Canadian divisions which have been spoiling for a fight since Dieppe and now have a chance to get into a real one alongside the Americans and Britain’s finest, which presumably include the Eighth Army under General Sir Edward L. Montgomery. The American forces were believed to be picked divisions, including the 2nd corps which became a veteran outfit in the battle of Tunisia.
The allied strength thrown against the barbed wire, the pill boxes and the coastal batteries of Sicily was not indicated but German propaganda reports had guessed that there were between 57 and 64 Allied divisions available in the entire Mediterranean theatre. These were said by the Axis to include 15 to 20 armored divisions and other specialists.
* * * * *
New Fighter-Bomber On Sicilian Front
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From The Madera Tribune, 12 July 1943:
HOSPITAL SHIP SUNK BY ENEMY
All Wounded Rescued Without Loss of Life
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GERMANY IS TOLD YANKS DEFEATED
Beaten Back by Huns After Fierce Battle
LONDON, July 12—The official German DNB agency, in a dispatch broadcast by the Berlin radio, said today that German troops in southern Sicily had thrown an American “formation” back into the sea. “The Americans were beaten back after a fierce battle,” the dispatch said. “The Germans gave them no time to consolidate their positions on the beaches.”
* * * * *
PARALLEL TO WORLD WAR 1 MADE PUBLIC
Patterns of New World War Is Not Unlike Conflict of 1917
WASHINGTON, July 12. One year, seven months and five days after congress declared war on Germany in 1917, final victory came to the United States and her allies.
One year, seven months and five days after Pearl Harbor —today—finds the United States and her allies engaged in their first assault upon the fortress of Europe.
TURN OF TIDE
The allies have tasted victory in North Africa, and on a smaller scale against the Japanese in the Pacific. But only since last fall have the tables been reversed. The three years before that were defensive ones in which the axis held all the cards—and played them well.
In overall terms, the pattern of the war during the one year, seven months and five days the United States has been in this war is not unlike that of the same period of World War I.
Germany and her satellites are now surrounded and in the process of being strangled economically. Their fighting power has been worn down by attrition in their struggle against potentially superior allied resources.
DETAILS DIFFER
In overall terms, the pattern of the war during the one year, seven months and five days the United States has been in this war is not unlike that of the same period of World War I.
Germany and her satellites are now surrounded and in the process of being strangled economically. Their fighting power has been worn down by attrition in their struggle against potentially superior allied resources.
DETAILS DIFFER
In broad details, however, this war varies greatly from the last. Italy and Japan are on the other side. Russia, which faded out of the last war before victory was won, is the bulwark of allied powers against the axis armies. Air power has become a strategic element of major proportions.
The United States plays a more important role in relation to the entire struggle than in the last, in the matter of materials and supply, in manpower, in air power and in sea power.
The greatest army and navy in American history have been created. The army now numbers about 7,000,000 officers and men. Navy, marine corps and coast guard personnel number nearly 2,000,000. By the end of the year the armed forces will reach 11,000,000
1917 TOTALS
The United States plays a more important role in relation to the entire struggle than in the last, in the matter of materials and supply, in manpower, in air power and in sea power.
The greatest army and navy in American history have been created. The army now numbers about 7,000,000 officers and men. Navy, marine corps and coast guard personnel number nearly 2,000,000. By the end of the year the armed forces will reach 11,000,000
1917 TOTALS
In the first World War, total U. S. armed forces mobilized on Armistice Day, November 11, 1918, numbered only 4,355,000. On that date about 2,000,000 U. S. troops had been transported overseas to France. Today approximately the same number have gone overseas, but they have been spread virtually all over the globe. Overall American casualties have been lighter, but naval casualties have been heavier....
LONDON, July 12. The unconditional surrender of Germany is unlikely before this winter or the spring of 1944 at the earliest, according to the best-informed sources here. This belief is predicted on the following factors:
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AXIS KNOCKOUT IS NOT CLOSE
Winter or Spring of 1944 Earliest That Victory Is Expected
I - The Sicilian campaign might easily - though it still is too soon to predict - require as long as the final Tunisian drive.
2 - lt is likely the allies will require several weeks to rehabilitate Sicilian airdromes and ports.
3 - There is no telling how long the Italian campaign might last, but six weeks might be a good guess for the time it will take to knockout axis number two pardner.
4 - The allies may carry out other landing operations in the Mediterranean theatre and possibly elsewhere.
5 - The bulk of the allied crack troops will be tied up for several months with the Mediterranean theatre operations.
Fighters Bombers Are Shuttling Above Axis Defenders Retreating Before Yankee And British Forces Which Have Driven Deep Into Enemy Lines
ALLIED HEADQUARTERS, North Arica. July 12.—Allied tank columns plunged some 15 miles inland against stiff Axis opposition in Sicily today after capturing 10 major towns along their 100-mile invasion front, smashing seven armored counter-attacks and seizing more than 4000 prisoners.
Aided by friendly Sicilians and supported by powerful air and naval bombardments, the American invasion forces repulsed counter-blows by the Italian Fourth Livorno (Leghorn) division known as ‘'Mussolini’s finest,” while Canadians and British Eighth army units fiercely engaged German shock troops rushed to the invasion front about eight miles inland from captured Syracuse.
GERMANS AT FRONT
* * * * *
ALLIES SMASHING INTO SICILY
Tanks And Paratroop Advancing Conqueror
Forces Are Leading
ALLIED HEADQUARTERS, North Arica. July 12.—Allied tank columns plunged some 15 miles inland against stiff Axis opposition in Sicily today after capturing 10 major towns along their 100-mile invasion front, smashing seven armored counter-attacks and seizing more than 4000 prisoners.
Aided by friendly Sicilians and supported by powerful air and naval bombardments, the American invasion forces repulsed counter-blows by the Italian Fourth Livorno (Leghorn) division known as ‘'Mussolini’s finest,” while Canadians and British Eighth army units fiercely engaged German shock troops rushed to the invasion front about eight miles inland from captured Syracuse.
GERMANS AT FRONT
The sharpest fighting appeared to be near the town of Floridia, west of Syracuse, where dispatches from Sicily said the Germans had been rushed in to oppose British and Canadian forces, but the advance in that area was greater than the American advance from Cela and Licata on the south coast because it was easier for the enemy to move troops against the United States forces.
Gains were steady in most sectors. Returning pilots reported huge forces concentrated on the beaches and moving inland behind tank spearheads that jammed the roads.
Dispatches also told of friendly aid given by Sicilians including an instance in which the mayor of one town persuaded another town where there was stiff resistance to surrender.
The American forces in Sicily centered at Licata under command of Lt. Gen. George S. Patton. Jr. while Gen. Sir Bernard L. Montgomery directed the British and seized Syracuse.
BREAK COUNTERS
Gains were steady in most sectors. Returning pilots reported huge forces concentrated on the beaches and moving inland behind tank spearheads that jammed the roads.
Dispatches also told of friendly aid given by Sicilians including an instance in which the mayor of one town persuaded another town where there was stiff resistance to surrender.
The American forces in Sicily centered at Licata under command of Lt. Gen. George S. Patton. Jr. while Gen. Sir Bernard L. Montgomery directed the British and seized Syracuse.
BREAK COUNTERS
Patton’s tough American units broke up a heavy Italian counterattack headed by 45 fascist tanks just north of Cela and then repulsed the heaviest of seven enemy counterattacks, by turning back the Italian Fourth Livorno division in hard fighting.
“The advance continues,” today's communique from Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower stated and dispatches from forward areas described the offensive as moving into high gear against stiff axis opposition.
The population of Sicily was was described as "showing great friendliness” toward the invasion forces and being willing to co-operate.
ASTRIDE ROAD
“The advance continues,” today's communique from Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower stated and dispatches from forward areas described the offensive as moving into high gear against stiff axis opposition.
The population of Sicily was was described as "showing great friendliness” toward the invasion forces and being willing to co-operate.
ASTRIDE ROAD
The allies now are astride the vital road running from Pozzallo. which surrendered to an allied destroyer, to Syracuse, which British and Canadian troops stormed and took at 9 p. m on Saturday. They were opposed by the Italian 54th (Napoli) division, based near Syracuse. Allied casualties still were described as comparatively light.
Pilots returning to North African bases said they could see “Old Glory flying on the beaches” in southern Sicily and American trucks and jeeps jamming the roads inland. “The beaches were crammed with trucks and mechanized equipment,” one pilot said. “It was grand to see the American flag flying in the breeze. We could see American warships in action off the coast.”
FANNING OUT
Pilots returning to North African bases said they could see “Old Glory flying on the beaches” in southern Sicily and American trucks and jeeps jamming the roads inland. “The beaches were crammed with trucks and mechanized equipment,” one pilot said. “It was grand to see the American flag flying in the breeze. We could see American warships in action off the coast.”
FANNING OUT
The pilots said the invasion forces were fanning out toward the inland mountains and that “everything looked pretty good,” although there was stronger Luftwaffe opposition.
Allied naval forces continued to disembark reinforcements and supplies and destroyers bombarded the Sicilian coastal town of Pozzallo and the railroad line between Syracuse and Ragusa, on the east coast. The towns captured included important ports and air bases in a 100-mile strip along the southeastern coast of Sicily from Syracuse around the corner of the Island to Licata in the west.
American forces captured Licata, one of the main enemy air bases on the central sector of the south coast, and ran up the stars and stripes over the harbor. The navy immediately began pouring reinforcements and supplies into the port. The surrender of Pozzallo was accepted by the commander of an allied destroyer early Sunday afternoon. The allied advance generally continued, it was announced.
From The Madera Tribune, 13 July 1943
MOSCOW, July 13. German attacks slackened at the northern end of the Orel-Belgorod front today, presumably because of losses ranging up to 45,000 men and 2,622 tanks in seven days, and the government newspaper Izvestia said it was becoming clear that the Axis summer offensive has failed. Though the Germans continued to hurl reinforcements against the Soviet lines at the southern end of the front, communiques and dispatches emphasized that the Soviets everywhere were holding firm and taking a heavy toll of Nazi men and machines.
STILL RAGES
Allied naval forces continued to disembark reinforcements and supplies and destroyers bombarded the Sicilian coastal town of Pozzallo and the railroad line between Syracuse and Ragusa, on the east coast. The towns captured included important ports and air bases in a 100-mile strip along the southeastern coast of Sicily from Syracuse around the corner of the Island to Licata in the west.
American forces captured Licata, one of the main enemy air bases on the central sector of the south coast, and ran up the stars and stripes over the harbor. The navy immediately began pouring reinforcements and supplies into the port. The surrender of Pozzallo was accepted by the commander of an allied destroyer early Sunday afternoon. The allied advance generally continued, it was announced.
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From The Madera Tribune, 13 July 1943
HUN ASSAULT SLACKENS ON OREL FRONT
Heaviest Losses Are Suffered by Germans In Smash at Russians
STILL RAGES
The battle was said to be still in the indecisive stage, but the Russian defense has passed into what the high command called “the active phase” with the defenders taking the initiative to prevent the enemy from imposing his battle plan.
A communique reported that the Germans, “having lost hope of breaking through” Soviet defenses on the Orel-Kursk sector, attacked only at scattered points and with smaller forces yesterday. In one sector, it said, German infantry and tanks penetrated Soviet trenches, but were thrown back to their initial positions by a Russian counterattack. One thousand of the enemy were killed and 13 tanks, six guns, 25 machine guns and a trench mortar battery destroyed.
LITTLE GAIN
A communique reported that the Germans, “having lost hope of breaking through” Soviet defenses on the Orel-Kursk sector, attacked only at scattered points and with smaller forces yesterday. In one sector, it said, German infantry and tanks penetrated Soviet trenches, but were thrown back to their initial positions by a Russian counterattack. One thousand of the enemy were killed and 13 tanks, six guns, 25 machine guns and a trench mortar battery destroyed.
LITTLE GAIN
The entire German gain during seven days of some of the heaviest attacks of the war was only three-quarters of a mile in the Orel-Kursk sector, a dispatch said. With the apparent stalemate northern end of the front, the Germans switched operational reserves of armor, troops and aircraft to their southern end, around Belgorod, in another day of futile attempts to widen a breach in the Soviet line.One Soviet detachment was credited with annihilating 3,000 German troops in repulsing two heavy attacks. Soviet tanks in,another sector carried out a sudden flanking thrust and knocked out 45 Nazi tanks. Three thousand German troops and 20 tanks attacked Russian positions in a third sector, but were repulsed in a 12-hour battle.
ALLIED HEADQUARTERS IN NORTH AFRICA, July 13. Allied air forces supported the land campaign in Sicily today with systematic, devastating attacks on the supply link from the Italian mainland, Sicilian airdromes, troops, and trains. American Flying Fortresses bombed traffic to a standstill between the eastern Sicilian port of Messina and the mainland ports of Reggio Calabria and San Giovanni.
By United Press -
Premier Mussolini, according to Radio Rome, has sent the following message to his forces in Sicily:
“I am with you in spirit.”
In August, 1937, Mussolini said in a speech in Sicily; “Not one enemy soldier will never (sic) land in Sicily.”
ALLIED HEADQUARTERS, North Africa, July 13. — Allied armed forces sweeping across southeastern Sicily have captured the vital Italian naval base of Augusta, pushed 25 miles inland to seize the railroad towns of Floridia, Palazzolo and Ragusa and landed British assault troops on the beaches near Catania. The swift offensive blows of the American, British and Canadian troops, backed by a spreading aerial assault and a naval bombardment of Augusta, extended the allied base for drives northward toward Messina and northwestward toward Caltanissetta despite renewed axis counter attacks.
EXPECTED COUNTERS FAIL
* * * * *
ALLIES AIR FORGE POUNDING AT AXIS
Supply Lines And Airdromes Blasted
ALLIED HEADQUARTERS IN NORTH AFRICA, July 13. Allied air forces supported the land campaign in Sicily today with systematic, devastating attacks on the supply link from the Italian mainland, Sicilian airdromes, troops, and trains. American Flying Fortresses bombed traffic to a standstill between the eastern Sicilian port of Messina and the mainland ports of Reggio Calabria and San Giovanni.
* * * * *
In Spirit But Not in Body
Mussolini in Sicily Message to Troops
Premier Mussolini, according to Radio Rome, has sent the following message to his forces in Sicily:
“I am with you in spirit.”
In August, 1937, Mussolini said in a speech in Sicily; “Not one enemy soldier will never (sic) land in Sicily.”
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ALLIED FORCES ARE ADVANCING
NAVY FORCES JOIN ARMIES SICILY BLOW
Great Axis Sea And Plane Base Reached As Allies Advance
ALLIED HEADQUARTERS, North Africa, July 13. — Allied armed forces sweeping across southeastern Sicily have captured the vital Italian naval base of Augusta, pushed 25 miles inland to seize the railroad towns of Floridia, Palazzolo and Ragusa and landed British assault troops on the beaches near Catania. The swift offensive blows of the American, British and Canadian troops, backed by a spreading aerial assault and a naval bombardment of Augusta, extended the allied base for drives northward toward Messina and northwestward toward Caltanissetta despite renewed axis counter attacks.
EXPECTED COUNTERS FAIL
The expected major enemy counter blows still had failed to develop although resistance was stiffening and the Americans were engaged in hard fighting on the south coast. Augusta was captured with slight losses, according to a headquarters announcement.
The harbor installations at Augusta were reported intact, indicating that the Italians had not had time or inclination to carry out a scorched earth program. An Italian communique for the first time mentioned an allied bridgehead at Augusta, indicating that intermediary port may have been captured. Radio London said U. S. troops were attacking Agrigento, 25 miles northwest of Licata in southern Italy.
HEAVY FORCES
The harbor installations at Augusta were reported intact, indicating that the Italians had not had time or inclination to carry out a scorched earth program. An Italian communique for the first time mentioned an allied bridgehead at Augusta, indicating that intermediary port may have been captured. Radio London said U. S. troops were attacking Agrigento, 25 miles northwest of Licata in southern Italy.
HEAVY FORCES
Swedish dispatches quoted German reports that the allies had landed seven infantry divisions—normally 105,000 men—and two tank divisions in the first two days of the invasion. One tank division was identified as American and the other as British.
The threat to Augusta, an Axis, seaplane and submarine base 33 miles south of Catania, arose from the capture of Syracuse on the first day of the invasion Saturday.
American forces were slowly fanning out from their bridgeheads in the Locata-Gela area of the south coast and massing strength to meet an anticipated major axis counterattack from the west.
(A German communique said fierce fighting was continuing in Sicily. Twenty-five enemy planes were shot down over Sicily and Sardinia yesterday and heavy losses were inflicted on the allied landing fleet, the communique said.)
While torpedo planes concentrated on enemy shipping, bombers from both the northwest African and middle-eastern commands struck at enemy ports and airfields, both on Sicily and on the nearby Italian mainland, and other aircraft shot up enemy troops and transport concentrations in support of ground forces. Two axis supply ships were sunk, a third was damaged badly and two destroyers were left aflame from bow to stern by torpedo aircraft under the command of air Vice Marshal Sir Hugh Pugh Lloyd.
WARSHIPS AID
The threat to Augusta, an Axis, seaplane and submarine base 33 miles south of Catania, arose from the capture of Syracuse on the first day of the invasion Saturday.
American forces were slowly fanning out from their bridgeheads in the Locata-Gela area of the south coast and massing strength to meet an anticipated major axis counterattack from the west.
(A German communique said fierce fighting was continuing in Sicily. Twenty-five enemy planes were shot down over Sicily and Sardinia yesterday and heavy losses were inflicted on the allied landing fleet, the communique said.)
While torpedo planes concentrated on enemy shipping, bombers from both the northwest African and middle-eastern commands struck at enemy ports and airfields, both on Sicily and on the nearby Italian mainland, and other aircraft shot up enemy troops and transport concentrations in support of ground forces. Two axis supply ships were sunk, a third was damaged badly and two destroyers were left aflame from bow to stern by torpedo aircraft under the command of air Vice Marshal Sir Hugh Pugh Lloyd.
WARSHIPS AID
Strong allied naval forces also joined in the offensive again, shelling the vital Italian naval base at Augusta on the east coast while minesweepers “swept the bridgehead to Augusta',” according to a communique from the headquarters of General Dwight D. Eisenhower. The planes caught the ships, which were carrying supplies and reinforcements to Sicily, in the Tyrrhenian sea between Sardinia and Sicily Sunday night and attacked in the face of heavy aircraft fire. The destroyers were damaged so badly that they probably sank. Two other axis ships were reported hit in Sicilian waters.
Northwest African Flying Fortresses, pacing the day’s bombing offensive, were credited with destroying two vital railroad bridges at Messina, terminus of the Sicilian ferry line from the toe of the Italian boot.
BOMB MAINLAND
Northwest African Flying Fortresses, pacing the day’s bombing offensive, were credited with destroying two vital railroad bridges at Messina, terminus of the Sicilian ferry line from the toe of the Italian boot.
BOMB MAINLAND
Simultaneously, 100 American Liberators from the middle-eastern command dropped more than 650,000 pounds of explosives on the mainland ports of Reggio Calabria and San Giovanni, across Messina Strait from Sicily, in furtherance of the campaign to isolate the island from reinforcements.
General Dave, commander of the Italian 206th coastal division, was captured along with many prisoners in addition to around 6,000 previously reported taken by the allies. Many counterattacks were repulsed, especially by the Americans in hard fighting near Gela, and enemy tanks (all of French Origin) were destroyed.
General Dave, commander of the Italian 206th coastal division, was captured along with many prisoners in addition to around 6,000 previously reported taken by the allies. Many counterattacks were repulsed, especially by the Americans in hard fighting near Gela, and enemy tanks (all of French Origin) were destroyed.
With the fall of Augusta indicated as imminent, the allied forces were described as making satisfactory progress on all fronts in what appears to be an all-out onslaught to complete their control of the whole southeastern triangle of Sicily up to the plains of Cantania.
The Italian navy, except for submarine, had not yet been encountered in any strength and the Germans, for the moment, showed no definite signs of deciding where to throw the bulk of their armor in Sicily. Experts said the axis defense for the moment appeared “nervous.”
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First Batch of Axis Prisoners Arriving
ADVANCED BASE, July 12 (Delayed).—The first batch of axis prisoners captured in Sicily—1,000 ragged, poorly dressed and weary Italians and four Germans—arrived today under guard of American soldiers.
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From The Madera Tribune, 14 July 1943:
ALLIES SMASH WAY IN SICILY
FLEETS AND AIR FORCES AID TROOPS
American And British Troops Are Pounding Rapidly Into Sicily
ALLIED HEADQUARTERS, North Africa, July 14. — American forces, supported by United States warship bombardments, smashed forward six to 10 miles in south Sicily and captured the important axis base at Comiso today while British assault troops pressed up the eastern coast toward shell-pitted Catania.
Axis resistance appeared to be stiffening but the Americans under Lieutenant General George S. Patton, Jr., hammered their way into Naro, Palma and Porto Olivo following a junition with the Canadians at captured Gagusa, and were reported about 30 mies inland at some points.
Radio Algiers said the Americans knocked out 10 Nazi tanks in battles against Italians and the Hermann Goering division.)
The capture of Naro and Comiso was believed to have greatly improved the Americans’ position in the south, where the hardest fighting so far had centered around Gela. The Americans were thrown back there but rallied to advance against Italian and and German counterattacks.
Their latest gains consolidated their grip on the mountain roads and provided bases for thrusts northward from the Comiso-Ragusa area.
BATTER CATANIA
On the east coast, where allied warships and air squadrons battered Catania airport, the British had not yet reported big scale enemy counterattacks. It was said there was no fighting as yet in or immediately around Catania, which has not been captured by the allies. The town of Mellili also was reported still in Axis hands, although it was bypassed by the British coastal forces that captured the big naval base at Augusta early this morning.
Catania airport was shelled from the sea and smothered by many tons of aerial bombs, according to today's communique, which said that disembarkation operations - which previously had been unofficially reported near to Catania - “proceeded smoothly.” The points of disembarkation were not given In the communique.
While the American warships smashed Axis tank columns and air fields on the south coast of Sicily, the British and Canadian drive up the east coast toward Catania smashed an entire Italian division and boosted the estimated number of prisoners to around 3000, mostly Italians.
BATTLE DEVELOPING
Catania airport was shelled from the sea and smothered by many tons of aerial bombs, according to today's communique, which said that disembarkation operations - which previously had been unofficially reported near to Catania - “proceeded smoothly.” The points of disembarkation were not given In the communique.
While the American warships smashed Axis tank columns and air fields on the south coast of Sicily, the British and Canadian drive up the east coast toward Catania smashed an entire Italian division and boosted the estimated number of prisoners to around 3000, mostly Italians.
BATTLE DEVELOPING
(Axis broadcasts reported that big battles were developing in the mountains south of Catania, indicating that the Germans and Italians were making their most important stand so far.)
The communique said that Greek and British destroyers shelled the port of Augusta,, main Italian naval base on the east coast, at 4 p. m. Tuesday and that allied forces occupied that port early this (Wednesday) morning. The Augusta harbor facilities were almost intact and the Italian 206th coastal division virtually was destroyed in the operations on the east coast, where Catania airfield was heavily shelled by allied warships early Tuesday. The communique said that despite some enemy bombing attacks the “disembarkation proceeded smoothly,” presumably close to Cantania.
MANY PRISONERS
The communique said that Greek and British destroyers shelled the port of Augusta,, main Italian naval base on the east coast, at 4 p. m. Tuesday and that allied forces occupied that port early this (Wednesday) morning. The Augusta harbor facilities were almost intact and the Italian 206th coastal division virtually was destroyed in the operations on the east coast, where Catania airfield was heavily shelled by allied warships early Tuesday. The communique said that despite some enemy bombing attacks the “disembarkation proceeded smoothly,” presumably close to Cantania.
MANY PRISONERS
The allies seized at least 2,OOO more prisoners, mostly Italians, while a flotilla of MTB’s (motor torpedo boats) operating in the straits of Messina, engaged two axis torpedo boats which were set ablaze and driven ashore. A third enemy boat was damaged but escaped. (American troops had been reported pushing westward from Licata toward Agrigento against stiff opposition.)
The communique said there were further general advances in all sectors, following capture of Augusta, Ragusa and Maro. The American and Canadian forces had made a junction yesterday at Ragusa, cutting off the whole southwestern tip of the island and seizing important communications centers.
American forces in the Gela-Licata sector appeared to be encountering the strongest opposition and it appeared that the American warship bombardments in that sector were an effort to aid in securing and extending the bridgehead as swiftly as possible.
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The communique said there were further general advances in all sectors, following capture of Augusta, Ragusa and Maro. The American and Canadian forces had made a junction yesterday at Ragusa, cutting off the whole southwestern tip of the island and seizing important communications centers.
American forces in the Gela-Licata sector appeared to be encountering the strongest opposition and it appeared that the American warship bombardments in that sector were an effort to aid in securing and extending the bridgehead as swiftly as possible.
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