The Wilmington morning star., 1943-07-12
CONTINUED From Page One)

invasion sea trains" sweeping
across toward Sicily.
The fact that the major German
Italian counterattack has not yet
developed indicates that the Al
lied high command won an i'm
portant tactical victory, complete
ly surprising the defenders with
the massive flow of ships and
men to southeastern Sicily.
GA British correspondent said
an invasion armada of 1000 ships
participated in the assault-more
than double the Allied force OF
$50 ships used in the invasion OF
North Africa in November, which
up to that time had been history 5
largest)
Military sources said that big
Axis counterattack still is to
come. It is expected at any mo-
ment. Such resistance as was en-
countered by the Allied troops
probably was offered by Italians
alone, semi-static units Of the Sic
ilian coastal defense.
Nevertheless an Italian army
radio broadcast heard here said
that severe fighting" had broken
out, apparently referring to the
engagements at Celia and Cape
Passero. These actions were de-
scribed here as relatively unim-
portant compared to what is ex-
pected from the enemy.
The capture of the three air
fields was a development OF ma
ior importance. But it has not yet
been announced whether Allied
planes are using these advanced
bases in their thus far excellent
Sicilian operations which have af-
forded a rolling barrage" paving
the way for steady Allied ground
advances.
(Berlin reports to Sweden said
German military observers had
acknowledged that Allied air pow
er was playing a big part in initial
landing operations, not only block
ing sea transport between Sicily
and the mainland but also smash
ing cable and telephone communl-
cations so vital for the deploy-
ment of defending Axis troops.
The Americans, British, and Ca
nadians now have established posi-
tions where the sea is u1 both
Ionian sea to the east
below the Messina strait, and the
Mediterranean on the west.
Observers emphasized that
concerted Axis counter-offenslve
could be expected as soon as the
German and Italian generals could
decide whether the southeast coast
landings constituted an Allied
feint to cover real invasion
from another point or were in fact
the real thing.
With our beaches firmly held
and our troops advancing, the Al
lied navies' most important task
during the day was the landing
of further troops with their We
hicles, guns, fuel, equipment and
Stores" said a headquarters COM
munique.
At Celia, a vital port and road
junction on the Gulf of Celia, the
established their beach
objectives in three hours after the
pre-dawn landing Saturday, fan
ming out to the right and left to
contact other forces on their
flanks. Celia was the first city to
be disclosed officially as point
attacked in the invasion of the is
land, 300 square miles larger than
Vermont.
AS the American troops waded
ashore, Allied warships caught
sight of an enemy tank column
toward Celia and opened
up on it with a shattering artillery
barrage.
The identity of the Axis ar
mored units which attempted un-
successfully to drive the American
landing party back into the sea
was not disclosed but it was be-
lieved to have been German.
Although few details have yet
come in, it is clear our operations
against Sicily continue to go ac-
cording to plan," the Allied COM
said. During the course
of the days fighting good prog