The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-09-04
Italy yLooks 
 Role
BY ELEANOR PACKARD United Press Staff COrrespOndent)

Rome, Sept. 4-(UP)--The begin ming of the third year of the World War and Italy's 18th month of par- ticipation in 1t finds the Italians enjoying a brief lull in the fighting during which they are organizing their armies for new campaigns In the coming year,
 At present Italian activity on two fronts can be foreseen--Russia and North Africa. The vanguard of e contingent of Italian troops first participated in the Fighting against the Russians ill the Ukraine on Aug. l3, and although the number of divisionds being sent to Russia is 6 secret, 1t is widely reported that the troops already In the Ukraine will be considerably augmented by c steady stream of fresh soldiers.
 The intense heat of the North African summer months has limit ed the activity there mainly to aviation, artillery. and small skirm- ishes, but in another fortnight or so good fighting weather will have returned after which some major battles can be expected. Both Italy and Britain have sound strategic reasons for attempting large-scale offensives in this sector.
 Casualties Near 250,0OO
 Italy's casualties on the eve of the third year of the war amount to fewer than 250000 men includ- ing killed, wounded, and prisoners on all fronts nj all branches of the armed forces, whereas the bulk of the army-it was estimated pes fore the war that Italy could mus ter 6,000,000 men--remain intact
 Following the conclusion of the fighting in Greece and Jugoslavia, the men already under colors also had an opportunity to rest and re- equip, and can therefore be con- sidered fresh troops with the ad- vantage of veterans experience.
 Owing to the almost complete freedom of Itlay'S industrial cen- ters from enemy bombing, arms and munitions factories are under stood to be better organized than at the outbreak of the war and running full time supplying the army with needed weapons. To feed these factories German trains are pouring thousands of tons of coal and iron ore into Italy daily.
 It is reported in reliable circles that there is some shortage of skilled workmen to handle this greatly accelerated production, and aggravated by the export of an estimated 100000 skilled Italian workers to Germany, but the Fas- cists are adjusting this problem rapidly as possible by establishing technical schools which are spring. ing Up like mushrooms over Italy.
 The death of Bruno Mussolini revealed that Italy now has new powerful long-range bombers un- der production.
 Police Occupied Areas
 Aside from North Africa, which Is occupying the largest number of Italian troops at present, Is the garrisoning of Crete and all Greece with the exception of Salonika, and of former Jugoslavia with the exception of Serbia and areas ceded to Bulgaria, Hungary, and Germany. An estimated 500O00 are thus employed-most of them from older army classes ranging from 35 to, 45 years, thus leaving young CT and more vigorous soldiers free for front line service.
 The third year of the war finds the Balkan situation much more favorable to Italy than before, it IS indicated here. Italy not only has satisfied its own and Albania s revindications on Jugoslavia, but also has been able to assist in creating new and friendly states such as Croatia and Montenegro, thus ending any threat to security in the Adriatic. The conquest of Greece also has not only assured the ultimate realization of AL bania'S claims to Greek territory. but enabled Italy largely to clear the Ionian ard Aegean sea from the menace of British naval units. Italian shipping can now travel without danger to the Dardanelles, it is said.
 At the same time Italian air and naval forces have made the south ern half of the central and eastern Mediterranean exceedingly dan gerous to British conveys. As a re- suit the British are sending most of their supplies to Egypt around the Cape of Good Hope. When the British do challenge Italian forces by sending freighters through the Mediterranean they sometimes find 1t costly. On the other hand the Italians are successfully maintain ing their lines of communication rrfifh ' fk,,a