The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1943-09-03
BRITISH FORCES
LEAD DRIVE ON
NAH FORTRESS
Canadians Also In Vanguard Leaping Across
Straits Of Messina; Promise To Hit Con-
tinent Kept By United Nations

Friday, Sept 3--British and Canadian forces under
the command of General Dwight D. Eisenhower swept
the Strait of Messna todas dawnng light and
landed on the beaches of Italy.
Thus the Allies had made good their promise to invade
the European mainland.
The long awaited and historic assault came on the
fourth anniversary of the day that Great Britain declared
The invading forces of the American commander less
than three weeks brought to conclusion the vctor
Sicilian campaign.
1t from footholds in that 38-day campaign,
from the eastern shore of Sicily that the mainland nvad
sprung
From there it was only brief boat ride 20 minutes
half hour the mainland and possibly another good
step toward Berlin.
British and Canadian troops of the Eighth Army fam
ed for it's fighting in North Africa and Sicily made up the
attacking force
Allied naval units escorted the landing barges. Over
head American and British airmen swept away the enemy
(The American Seventh Army, which mopped up the
greater part of the western half of Sicily presumably was
being held in reserve, for the time being at least)
(n broadcast this morning from Algers, John DAILY,
CHS correspondent reported the invasion was preceded by
number of successful Commando and reconnaissance mis-
sions in the past few nights.
Day said these missions successful in helping to
knock out enemy coastal defenses and at the same tme
he sad they reported valuable information back to attack
headouarters
his report recalled that the Italians said several days
ago COMMUNICATIVE landing had been made in the region
of Reggie Calabria. This confirmed
Daly said details were lacking as to exactly where
the landings occurred although in general they took place
believed to have done most of the initial fighting in the
first phase against the invasion forces.)
The first landings made at 4:30 a. m. Q0:30 p.
M EWT Thursday mighty and were announced by Allied
headquarters in special communique at 7:15 a. m.
They were preceded by heavy bombardment OF the
Italian coast by big Allied guns stationed on the Sclan
Shore which knocked out many batteries and facl
tated transport of troops narrow Messna strait
It was emphasized here that the assault not
garded as the opening of second 'front.' but the
tnuation of campaign which was launched in North Afr
ca and proceeded with the conquest OF Sicily.
An early collapse of Italy was not anticipated
On the contrary it expected that stiff resistance
would be encountered especially from the German forces
which have been rushed into Italy to assist in her defense
It was presumed that the landings were made in the
vicinity of Reggie Calabria, just seven miles across the
strait from Messna, possibly in a number Of places
Reggie Caabria, city of $4,000 and ferry terminus
has been battered almost daily since Sicily fell August 49,
along with San Giovanni eight miles to the north and Sell
la three miles still farther north of San Giovanni.
The landings preceded by days Of violent aerial
bombardment which knocked out Axis railway commun-
cations between southern and northern Italy and reduced
Axis positions the toe of the Italian boot to shameless
British and American warships also had participated
in the mighty prenvaslon bonbardment of the Italian
mainland.
It was the first time Allied troops had set foot Eu
ropean sail since the Dieppe raid in August l942 when
Allied forces landed the coast of France but later with
drew .
Canadian troops were included in the attacking forces
Allied headquarters disclosed
The new blow struck about dawn today.
Invasion of the continent came quickly the heels
of the cleanup of the Scian campaign, begun at dawn
July 10 and brought to victorious conclusion SO days later
with all Axis troops either killed, routed prisoners.
A special communicate announcing the mainland land
ngs said the forces "of General Eisenhower continued
their advance British and Canadian troops Of the Eighth
Continued on Page Five)