Evening star., 1943-09-21
The Meaning of Sardinia

The election of the Germans from
Sardinia by the Italian garrison
there is not only an important gain
IN itself but also a heartening por-
| tent OF greater gains to come. The
action was taken under the direct
orders of Marshal Badoglio, who
| specifically instructs Italian armed
| forces and civilians to assist the
Allies in every way in what has be-
come the common task of throwing
the Germans out of Italy. From a
safe though undisclosed haven in
territory under Allied occupation,
the marshal explains over the air
that wholesale German aggressions
have transformed his original desire
for passive capitulation into a policy
OF whole hearted cooperation with
the Americans and British, who
should be regarded as Italy's lib
orators. Although Badoglio and his
government have not yet formally
declared war on the Reich, they are
waging war in everything but the
name. This more than offsets the
sham revival of the Rome Berlin
Axis proclaimed by the puppet re-
gin1e established in Northern Italy
and nominally headed, by Mussolini.
AS for Sardinia itself, its switch to
the Allied side is second in impor-
tance only to the accession of the
Italian Navy. This large island, al
most the size of Sicily, is so rugged
and well defended that its conquest
by the Allies would have been a
tough undertaking. Besides local
territorial forces it was garrisoned
by at least two divisions of Italian
regulars stiffened by German spe-
cialist troops. These have beaten
hasty retreat across the Strait of
Bonifacio to nearby Corsica, thus
leaving Sardinia open for Allied
forces whenever they choose to ar
rive. The island has a good naval
base, three commercial harbors and
several airfields. Though damaged
by Allied air raids previous to the
armistice, all these installations can
presumably be quickly put in shape
for Allied use. The Sandman air.
fields will place Central Italy within
range of our fighter planes and ease
the tasks of our bombers, while
Tightening our naval blockade of
Italy's west coast.
Furthermore. the indications are
that Corsica will likewise soon fall
into Allied hands. The Axis gar
rison Of that French island was pre-
dominantly Italian, and it is i'm
probable that the German con-
tingent, even though reinforced by
the fugitives from Sardinia, could
hold the island against an Allied
attack. Indeed, current reports are
to the effect that the Italian troops
there, aided by French patriots, have
seized most of Corsica, compelling
the Germans to retire to the port of
Bastia at it's northern tip This may
well be the preliminary to an evac-
uation to the mainland, il there is
still time to escape Allied warships
which should command the waters
in the vicinity. Along with the
evacuation of Corsica would logically
go that of Elba. the small island
which lies midway between Corsica
and the peninsula. A few days ago,
German force landed at Elba and
compelled the surrender of the Ital-
ian garrison. This may have been
done to facilitate the escape of their
comrades from Corsica The Ger
mans could hardly have intended to
prolong their stay.
Allied occupation of Corsica and
Elba, with their airfields, will lay
open both Northern Italy and South
ern France to bombing raids under
fighter escort, while Corsican har-
bors will provide ports of embarka-
tion for possible expeditionary forces
aimed at the Italian and French
Riviera. Such potential threats will
compel the German high command
to concentrate more troops and
equipment there than would other
wise be the case, which will be one
more drain upon their reserves.
Lastly, the liberation of Sardinia and
Corsica from the German grip should
hearten the rebellious populations
of Northern Italy and Southern
France, intensity their resistance,
and multiply acts of sabotage. The
Allied advance thus goes on apace.
Tk4 Po1no4k.