The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-09-15

acknowledged that the Allies had
made q new and strong stand on the
beaches south Of Naples with sup
port Of naval guns.)
The Allied aerial superiority was
demonstrated by the fact that none
Of our aircraft was lost during o
record day u operations, and that
only six enemy planes were shot
down, presumably because OF the
comparatively small number put In
to the air.
The communique, which also an
nounced occupation OF the little Is.
land Of Capri, northwest OF Salerno,
said:
"Bitter fighting continues between
Salerno and Agropoli. Determined
counter attacks have been carried
out by both sides. In some places
our troops have been forced TO yield
consolidated and reinforcementS
ground but new positions are being
continue TO arrive.
British Sth
In Southern Italy-where the
British 9Th Army was racing north
ward to aid the Salerno battle-the
communique said that new progress
was made and that Belvedere had
been occupied on the west coast
road. This represented an advance
of some 30 miles from Cosenza and
put the troops Of Gen. Sir Bernard
L. Montgomery within less than 70
miles Of Agripoh, which Is southern
end Of the Salerno bridgehead.
On the east coast the British con-
tinued to expand from the laramie
and Bari areas.
The Germans apparently still
were making their all out effort to
destroy the Salerno bridgehead and
offering little or no opposition other
than demolitions TO the British 9th
Army coming UP the west coast
from the south.
That was indicated by disclosure
that the German 2oth motorized
division, which had been In the
south, now Is In action on the Sal
emo front with the 18th and 18th
Panzer divisions and the Hermann
Goering division.
In stating that the Allied position
was slightly improved as compared
to yesterday, 1t was suggested that
the most important development
was the failure OF the enemy's
desperate efforts to seize our beach
positions so far.
Counter Attacks
Although the Americans made
frequent counter-attacks, 1t was not
indicated that any new ground was
gained as these attacks normally
would be designed to Offset the
enemys thrusts. The communique' s
statement that "our troops have
been forced to yield ground but new
positions are being consolidated" in
dicated merely that new positions
In the rear were being held and i'm
proved.
The enemys strength was at least
equal to the Allied invasion forces
on the ground and his position was
much superior, but Allied reinforce
ments were being landed continue
ally despite Luftwaffe attacks and
artillery fire from the hills above
the coast.
Casualties obviously were heavy
on both sides. In one small clash,
a single American combat team
knocked out Is Nazi tanks.
Despite heavy losses, the Germans
fought their way into Altavilla and
Albanella, forcing the Allies to rec
tify their lines on the inland front,
and q terrific battle was in prog
ress around the road junction OF
Battipaglia, southeast OF SaleTuo.
The Germans were using strong ar
mored units there, including bic
Mark (TigeFl tanks. and had arr
tilleTy strongly massed.
Prisoners
German prisoners. brought IN
from the hills. had 70 share with
Allied troops the dangers Of the
continuous Nah artillery bombard-
ment OF the coastal area as they
were rushed 70 ships Tor removal
from italy. German prisoners said
that young and fanAtical MAJ
tFoops had been thrown Into the
saIsrno battle and that they saFe
eociSy enough 70 believe they can
pin down the Americans"
Hitler apparently Tad given ore
deTS % destroy the American hFldae
deFs y destroy tie American
brldgehead ~ eng cost, The fur
81 the German onslaught Wna Pre-.
mlmahlV due 10 The time element a
| fhnV rafask kaan ana AVA Nm La