The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1943-07-27

Three other Axis planes were shot
down Sunday and II others yester-
day.
Bitter fighting was reported still
in progress on the southern and
southwestern approaches to Catania,
anchor point of the Axis defense
line on the eastern coast.
The defense line running around
Mount Etna from below Catania to
a point near Cefalu on the north
ern coast was being strengthened
somewhat as it grew shorter, accord
ing to reports reaching headquart-
ers. The Germans launched a
counterattack yesterday but it was
repealed by the Americans and Cana
dams. Enemy losses were heavy.
This engagement brought the
Americans up against Grman troops
after dealing mainly with Italians
while completing the conquest of the
western end of the islnd.
500 Losses
German losses were reported to be
running as high as 400 men per
battalion, or close to so per cent.
German reinforcements had been
rushed from Messina to the fighting
'front.' possibly indicating their dis
trust of the italians since the custer
of Premier Mussolini.
Allied medium bombers attacked
railway communications at Marina
Di Paolo in southern Italy yester-
day while light bombers and fighter
bombers continued attacks on ship
ping in Sicilian harbors and roads
on the island.
Allied fighters made offensive
sweeps over Sardinia and maintain
ed patrols over Allied shipping and
land forces. The port of Milazzo
was attacked by medium bombers
Sunday night and torpedo-carr
planes sank an Axis merchant YES
sci in the Tyrrhenian Sea between
Sardinia and Italy.
Gan Italian communique, broad
cast by the Rome radio, said Allied
planes had attacked both Naples and
Messina)
Only one Spitfire was lost in the
battle with the transport convoy
near Messina.
American P-40 Warhawks de-
stroyed five enemy fighters during
the sweeps over Sardinia. Raj
Beaufighters shot down two big Ger
man Six-engined transport planes.
Position Unchanged
(The italian communique said
there was no change in positions in
Sicily and fighting had developed
mainly in the northern sector. Ger
man bombers were said to have at
tackled Allied ships off the north
an beast coasts, damaging four
transports, two cruisers and one de-
stroyer.)
c. r. Cunningham, United Press
correspondent with the Americans,
reported that they we're having
"taugh shedding against the Ger
mans but the Italians seemed worn
out and about ready to throw in
the towel He said in one battle
in Northern Sicily handful of
Germans had forced Italian gun
crews to fight.
The new American A-36 invaders
raided the port of Miazzo west of
Messina Sunday and yesterday,
bombing the docks. destroying a
warehouse and hitting a merchant
vessel. The port was raided by
British Bostons and American
Mitchells Sunday day and night
and fires were started in the dock
area.
Other Targets Attacked
Bostons and Mitchells also attack
ed targets near Adrano, Palermo,
Nicosia and Capeorlando In north
eastern Sicily Sunday night.
The important communications
center of Regalbuto was bombed by
Raj planes yesterday, Invaders
struck at st, Agata where hits were
made on railroad sidings, trucks,
buildings and barges, at San Stcfa-
no, Marine, Barcelona and the air
dromc at Falconc.
Raj Beaufighters destroyed O.
500 ton Axis merchant vessel, shot
up barges and destroyed two giant
German Merseburg-323 transport
planes capable OF carrying 100 men
each yesterday.
American Marauder medium
bombers, escorted by Lightnings, at
tacks rail targets at Marine ri Pao-
10 In southern Italy. Hits were
made on tracks. buildings and
shops.
Warhawk pilots credited with vic
tories over Sardinia included Mai,
Robtret l.. Baselier OF Columbia,
Comm. who shot down an italian
Macchl- 200
DEATH NEWS EXAGGERATED