The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-07-13
Augusta Falls Before
Crash Of Allied Guns
Continued from Page u

TO complete their control Of the
whole southeastern triangle of ST.
ely up to the plain OF Catania.
The italian navy except for sub
marines had not yet been encount-
cred In any strength and the Ger
mans, for the moment, showed no
definite signs OF deciding where to
throw the bulk of their armor in
Sicily.
Experts said the Axis defense for
the moment appeared nervous"
The most sensational advance in
land was made by the British and
Canadians from the Syracuse
bridgehead on the east coast.
Directed by Gen. Sir Bernard L.
Montgomery, the British 9th army
units and Canadians thrust north
ward toward Augusta which was in
imminent danger of capture and
westward through Florida to PalaZ-
zolo, which is at the junction of
railroads and highways running
from Syracuse to Caltagirone and
northward toward Catania.
Another road runs southwark to
Ragusa, key Axis communications
base, and 1t was along this road
that the Canadians charged with
great speed to make junction with
the Americans who had broken
through stiff opposition on the
south coast
The Canadians had covered about
As miles by road from the east coast
area in order to reach Ragusa,
while the Americans had advanced
at least 20 miles although their
starting point was not Immediately
known.
Little Opposition
Ragusa is in the mountains at an
elevation of 1880 feet. Little oppo-
sition was offered along the wind
ing roads leading to the town, &C
cording to preliminary indications.
There were many indications of
stiffening opposition, however, es-
peciaIly against the Americans in
the Celia area of the south coast.
Stiff fighting was reported there,
with many Germans among the
Italian units opposing the Amer
leans.
Axis air opposition also was in
creasing somewhat.
While Allied air fleets continued
to sweep ahead Of the INVASION
forces and sank or damaged live
transports and two destroyers car
rying Axis reinforcements, the COM
munique disclosed that numper OF
enemy tank counter attacks mad
been beaten off by American, Brlt-
ish and Canadian troops. .
The southeast coastal town OF
Pazzolla, which surrendered 10 d
DESTROYER commander after DOM
bardment Sunday, was occupied and
Allied troops plunged inland TO
Ragusa. GA big battle in which 3o'-
600 German forces were involved
had been reported earlier near Ra-
gusa)
Ragusa is a town of $4,000 located
at a railroad junction. 1t is a small
oil center.
"A large number of prisoners were
taken and tanks were destroyed IN
the IXIlJlIlS, Vic toliiAiAUAAAHNN
Previously, at least 1000 prisoners
had been reported officially and A.
900 others were unofflcially listed as
captured.
Tho American 7th Army under
General George S. Patton, Jr,
which fought inland from Licata
and Celia again repulsed stiff AXIS
counter attacks. spearheaded by
tanks, and took many prisoners.
Gondon reports said Patton's forces
were attacking Agrr1gento, Is miles
northwest of Licata)
Advance Continues
The Americans destroyed a con-
siderable number OF enemy tanks,
and the advance continues
The communique said that the
British and Canadian forces which
landed at Syracuse on the east
coast and pushed inland eight miles
to Florida also were pushing
northward against some resistance
on the road to Augusta.
Good progress has been made