Evening star., 1943-09-12

other source which could only NEAR
Already many clashes have. occurred
The Germans, in France, in Yugoslavia
IN Greece and other countries where
Italian troops formed part of the occu-
patlonal forces of the Axis. have dis
armed the Italians. Berlin claims that
part of the italian fleet has been trapped
in the Adriatic Sea, that battleship and
a heavy cruiser seeking to escape from
La Spezia, naval base near Genoa, had
been sunk by Nazi planes between Cor
sica and Sardinia
On the other hand, the British an
nounced that four battleships and at
least l3 smaller naval vessels, follow
ing the instructions of Admiral Cum
nlngham in command of Allied naval
forces in the Mediterranean, had arrived
in Malta, while seven warships, includ-
ing one battleship, had reached the
Balearic Islands.
The capitulation of Italy does not i'm
ply, of course. that all of Italian territory
mas been surrendered. In fact, by far
the greater part of Italy is in German
hands. Striking quickly after the an
nouncement of the surrender, the Nazis
have captured Rome, guaranteeing to
protect the Vatican, and have also seized
Milan, Genoa and about $50 miles of
coast line extending into France. Prac-
tically all of Northern and Central Italy
Is under German domination, with the
only immediate opposition lying in the
hands Of the Italians.
Allies Have Tochold.
But the Allies have toehold, in fact.
several toeholds in Southern Italy. The
crossing of the Strait of Messina by Gen.
Montgomery British 9Th Army has been
followed by steady advances until now
any Nazis left on the toe of the boot
have been successfully cut off.
Other British forces Friday landed at
laramie, the main naval base on the
instep. Quickly consolidating their gains,
they started driving for the Adriatic
coast toward Bari, intending to bring
the heel of the boot completely under
control
1t. Gen. Mark W. Clark's American
5th Army has made several landings in
the Naples area and, though opposed in
five sharp mechanical attacks by the
Nazls, has expanded the early landings
into firmly established beachheads. Sa-
!erno, below Naples, has been captured.
NO word has come as to the activities
OF the American 7th Army or the British
1st although Berlin reported that l.rge
sea-borne expedition was moving I'D the
Adriatic in the direction of Albania to
which Germany is now rushing REIN
forcements. Whether this report is ac-
curate or refers to the force which
landed at Taranto remains to be dis
closed.
Allied landings were made on Sardinia
and rumors were that others occurred
on Corsica, where Italian troops are oc-
cupying the airfields.
Hitler Be,ittles Italy.
Adolf Hitler. making his first radio talk
in six months, assured the German
people that the loss of Italy to the Axis
cause is unimportant although he ad-
to cede some territory. Earlier in the
week. Propa ganda Minister Goeobels, in
an effort to keep up German morale, told
the people in radio broadcast, that if
their knees must shake, they should be
limited to shaking in private in order
that others might not be affected.
The already weakening morale OF the
Balkan countries received fresh shocks
from the retirement of Italy from the
war and rumors were flying thick that
Rumania, Hungary and Bulgaria are
considering following Marshal Badoglio's
lead and break OFF hostilities
Germany is left largely on her own in
Europe, now, and the problems placed
before Hitler are insurmountable. The
end Of the war has been brought appre-
ciably nearer by the loss of Italy to his
cause and if Italy assumes an active part
against Germany as both President
Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill
urged in joint statement issued at the
White House, this fact will be empha-
sized.
Hitler must, as he limited, cede some
territory or replace from his dwindling
reserves, the many Italian divisions serv-
ing as occupational garrisons in South
ern France, in Yugoslavia, Albania
Greece and the Dodecanese Islands Not
only must the Italians be replaced, but
other German forces must be earmarked
to oppose the Italians themselves.
Hitler's Many Problems.
Hitler must be ready To face fresh
Allied landings along the east coast Of
the Adriatic in Albania and Yugoslavia.
He must have the strength to oppose
an expedition which might seek beach
heads on the Rhone Delta in Southern
France. He knows that sooner or later
direct attack across the Channel must
come and he is forced to keep at a
high level, the troops manning the de-
fenses in Western France and the Low
lands. He is aware of the strained re-
lations with Sweden and the serious con-
sequences which might follow break.
He realizes that the sweeping advance
of the Russians toward the Dnieper
River Is bringing them ever nearer the
Rumanian oil fields which have already
been badly damaged by American air
attack.
AS Gen. Marshall, in his biennial re-
port to Secretary Of War Stimson de-
clared, the war now has entered its final
phase in Europe. Bitter fighting lies
ahead, now that the issue is squarely
Joined between Germany and the United
Nations. The Nazis may be expected to