Imperial Valley press., 1943-08-02
Continued from Page One)


have been supporting the advance
of the 7th army along the north
coast. Naval gunfire has been
found effective in disposing of en-
emy positions which could not be
reached by land artillery Naval
guns have been particularly useful
in shelling valleys along the coast.
The Allied front line now runs
almost due south from San Stefano
through Mistretta, Nicosia, then
southeastward through Agira and
Regalbuto TO Catenanuova, and
eastward on a line running just
south of Palermo and Catania.
Allied announcements revealed
also that AsSoro, and Nissoria. small
towns in the Agira area. were in
Allied hands-preSumably Canadian
Having captured the most import
ant road network held by the Axis
in central Sicily. the Allies were in
position to make a quick thrust
eastward on the road from Nicosia
to Troina and Bronte at the base of
Mount Etna, and along the coastal
road.
Heavy bomberS tn a t raided
Naples and other Italian towns en-
forced the Allied warning that de-
yastating attacks would result from
the Italian governments temporiz-
ing policy.
A great force of American Flying
FortreSses ripped up the dock area
of Naples and blasted the Capo Di
Chino air field yesterday.
TRANSPORTS HIT
Two transports in the inner dock
were hit and the Seaplane base was
heavily damaged. One Salvo of
bombs destroyed a railroad station
and a direct hit sent the gas
works up in flames with a terrific
explosion. A military barracks also
was damaged.
AT Capo Di Chino. hangers and
headquarters buildings were blown
to bits, a large oil depot was de-
stroyed and planes on the ground
were set afire.
The FortreSSes were escorted by
P-38 Lightnings About 80 Axis
planes were encountered, of which
eight We're shot down, giving the
Allies a score of l3 enemy planes
destroyed to one of their own lost
during the day.
Aircraft of the Allied tactical air
force bombed Paterno and Ran
daZzo at the base of Mount Etna,
the harbor at Messina across from
the italian mainland MilaZZo on
the northern coast, and shot up en-
emy motor transport near Orlando
on the north coast. American war
hawks made the attack on MeSsina
and A-36 invaders destroyed eight
and damaged others in the
Orlando sweeps.
Boldly asserting their command
Of Italy's Tyrrhenia sea-bordered
by Sicily. Sardinia and the Italian
cruisers and de-
stroyers steamed some IS miles up
the west coast and sent hundreds of
shells crashing into the Vibo
Mvalentia Marina harbor on the
south side of the gull of Eufemia.
The attack wis carried out under
cover of darkness Saturday night
and simultaneously another naval
Shelled a coastal rail-
way bridge over the Olivia river %
niles to the north.
Still another naval squadron
Crotone harbor on the
,ole of the italian boot Saturday
hight for a second time within a
starting at least two good
Tres and sinking two patrol craft.
3etaliatory fire from shore batter
es was ineffective.
RESUME OFFENSIVE
American Flying Fortresses re-
umed tn cir offensive against I.
Naples in daylight yesterday, drop
ping thousands of pounds of bombs
IN the dock area and the nearby |
capo Di Chino airdrome. Naples is
he principal supply and reinforce
nent base for Sicily
Both target areas were well COW
.red by bomb bursts" Gen. Dwight /
D. Eisenhower's cormunique said. /.
Eight Intercepting Axis Fighters
we're shot down.
(An Italian communique broad |
cast by the Rome radio reported
a heavy raid on Naples last night
with considerable damage being re-
ported. 1t was not clear whether