Evening star., 1943-08-15
u. S. and British
Troops 81 Miles
From Messinu
By the Associated Press.

NORTH AFRICA, Aug. 14.-Al-
lied air and naval forces drew a
ring of fire around the Strait of
Messina today in a bombing and
shelling battle against dazed
German troops who had begun a
wholesale withdrawal from Sici-
ly for stand in Italy.
Only about "a miles from Messina.
American and British troops moved
up fast on all sides after smashing
through the flre-swept crossroads
Of Randazzo, capturing Piraino on
the north coast, Floresta in the
middle section of the front and
Riposto, Giarre and Milo on the
east coast.
They were encountering stiff re-
sistance from well-organized and
flercely determined rearguards who
were putting every obstacle in the
way that ingenuity could devise, but
Allied spokesmen said the enemy's
retreat was accelerating and that
the end of the Sicilian campaign
was now only matter of days.
Bombers Blast Fleeing Troops.
Although the Germans were at
tempting to carry out an ordered
evacuation, the situation in other
respects resembled the closing
phases at Cap Bon in Tunisia three
months ago, and it was doubtful if
they would be able to carry away
much of their heavy equipment.
AS the Germans crowded into the
narrow funnel of Messina Peninsula
American and British warplanes of
almost every type except the heavy
Flying Fortresses bore down on
them by day and night.
Fighters and light bombers swept
along the roads pouring streams of
cannon and machine gun fire. Aban-
doning small augmentation and
anti-personnel bombs, British and
Canadian Wellingtons unloaded one
and two-ton blockbusters on Fall
cone, Piedmonte, Spadafore, San
MARITIME and other embarkation
points around Messina and even on
the beaches where troops were seen
wading out to the boats.
Pursuing those troops who es-
capped to the mainland, other air
fleets shook Marina de Valencia.
Palmi and Pizzo, small debarkation
points, pelted a mass of troops
crossing bridge near Marina de
Valencia and set off an explosion
and eight big fires in the railroad
yards at La Mezia.
Six Troop Ferries Sunk.
Although cloud formations inter-
Tered over the Strait somewhat, AL
lied airmen sank six small troop
ferries and shot up Is others.
While heavy units of both the
British and American navies stand
Ing guard outside the ring occa-
sionally poured fire into coastal po-
sitions and the narrow strip of water
dividing Sicily and Italy, other light
forces of the British fleet twice
cruised at night into the search
light-swept narrows looking for the
enemy's escape boats.
Motor torpedo boats penetrated
right to the mouth of Messina har-
Dor and sent a salvo of torpedoes
after three vessels entering the
port. A subsequent explosion was
believed to have been caused by
this attack.
These forayS were made on Tues
day and Wednesday nights without
encountering opposition except
from shore batteries which, how
ever, did no damage.
The terrific punishment the Ger
mans were taking was described as
torture" by a German war cor
respondent in Sicily whose message
was broadcast by the Berlin radio.
Only Four Allied Planes Downed.
Day and night artillery is bonn
harding us and dive bombers are
shaving our heads" he said IF
we find ourselves in proximity to
the coasts heavy cannon of Allied
warships put us into a macabre
dance. British parachute troops
frequently operate behind our lines
attacking us from the rear"
An Raj reconnaissance comman-
der said the strait resembled blue
ditch" across which about a dozen
barges or ferries could be seen
scooting at time.
Confirming previous field reports
Of an evacuation in full swing
Allied spokesmen said these boats
were empty on arriving in Sicily
and were going back loaded.
Although the Germans had
erected hundreds of guns along the
strait to protect the movement.
Allied headquarters said only four
Allied planes were lost yesterday
while 10 enemy aircraft were she.t
down.
Besides the boats sunk or dam
aged in the strait, two merchant