21.9.43 3» No,l BADOGLIO TALKS TO THE ITALIAN PEOPLE From, David the Combined Press. Brown, Representing Allied Advanced Commmand host Sept;'2o, 1943 Making a t)listening reply to Mussolini’s radio address to Italians, Badoglio last broadcast to Italians "certain truths” about recent political and night events in and bitter denunciation of German conduct which betrayed military Italy a the Italian people, Pith the major Italian radio stations in Italy still in German hands weak station at Bari subject to jamming Badoglio spoke over a comparatively which Germans now carry on against Italian government pronouncements* It is understood however that million of Badoglio's speech will be a copies distributed leaflet "The Italian nation had sufficient work for by ever Italy. a when at the of the Germans century in the organisation'of an Italian empire request Mussolini threw it into the new war which no one wanted or approved" said Badoglio, the ’’During/three years war Germany always considered us as an infer!er people. They ransacked our provinces removing goods of all kinds, forced Italian people to live on rations which were quite insufficient and well below the German standard; contributed to deprecations of values all insisted command our monetary and above always on taking of armed forces, ’far by Germany not of alliance but cur as woaged was a war. only a German war”. No supreme Commander of the armed Mould ever have led the country into such situation "and this the Italian people will not especially present a forget as events have demonstrated that the of the Italian coincided with clearly dispersal army diabolical plan of German divisions next to in order to annihilate them a placing ours at moment". an opportune According to Badoglio Italy’s position on July 25 was this; all Colonies lost, enemy in-Sicily, army dispersed everywhere, battlefleet sorely tried in narrow channel, merchant navy almost completely destroyed, airforce almost non-existent* materials which at first by G-ermajy diminishing, railway junctions and were supplied whole cities sectors of destroyed,, supply of provisions for the south impossible, reduced aerial bombardment, fool situation industry considerably by worsening, national debt of many hundred million lire and no real hope of victory. In the midst of this situation the party threw out Mussolini and the could King form to meet the wishes of the whole "Thus only a new government population, we came to the end of Mussolini*in such that he saved from personal fact a way was injury, a for which Mussolini thanked me in a letter he wrote ms on the night of 25/26 July” stated the declaration of armistice Badoglio declared that Badoglio,Discussing Mussolini had iri mid considered the September breaking German allegiance. "After further conversations Mussolini informed his collaborators Who can bear witness" said "that he Badoglio was considering cutting adrift from.the Germans by September 15, since Hitler had him". Of the armistice said betrayed Badoglio* "conditions hard because must net that beaten but it is worth are we forget we are out that already clauses pointing some have been attenuated by developments of the situation", •, Our/ ~2~ "Our armed... react! '-.n to all German- aggrcssl~en..*:.takG:S.,us._.c vox. nearer to the of llaboratlon with the- hlliosh--o::.id Bad-oglic. "a ..fact .which cannot hut he plane C; taken i-nt-a.conaidbr ati on at .the conclusion of hostilities,” He pointed out that 'bbcJn.Xtply. 1 it would Have'; she continued the German alliance and Germany won the war - "fherc is no.; .doubt, in""view of the disparaging attitude they have always taken"toward that Italy would have become a vassal state in the fullest sense us, of the word,” - Taking- over-the .armed forces and vital political civilian organizations as as' the declaration 'of armistice to far Tv';ssihle'hy the Germans up on was according ”a which has boon detail and which certainly Badoglio project already prepared;in would have been into effect if the armistice had not been declared,” put even Mussolini’s mention of the German spiritual world Borisively commenting upon said ”1 and,the Italian have in vain for traces, of this Badoglio people sought spiritual world of the homicides, in of all kinds carried out against the rapes citizens thr which carrying hamlqss aighout Italy .and in the robbery Germany are" homesteads of die seek it in vain in the inhuman treatment ■out,,-inwall peasants* soldiers- the Alpini- in in' the' execution the given our especially by firing of General Ganger in the threatened squad Corsica which has been announced'and in execution Of 180 Italian if 18 German not prisoners prisoners are returned.,' Marshal Rommel, described by Radio Berlin as the vindicator of Italian is the whom to of .Africa, should perfidy, against according Badoglio "Fighters ■ ' one vindicate themselves because he is the for all person chiefly responsible our .African:misfortunes,” Badoglio made the following solemn declaration on behalf of-the I talian Rational Government; "Firstly the and his K the Sovereign -use are of the and of expression will of.the Italian people and represent unity eternity our country* Secondly 26 the Italian manifested clearly its feelings on July people and wants with Monarchic it be, nothing more to do Fascism, Republican or os may. the Thirdly ■armed forces: have sworn allegiance to the King and will obey only King* the. armed forces from the oath have No one has the" right and powers to divert they taken* "'ltalian but the people have not betrayed the Germans were betrayed by Fascist combination. It will the.sacrifices of which Nazi never forget war were their and which not brought upon them despite .completely inadequate resources was wanted and of the north will not forget the tens of or understood; peasants people thousands of their finest sens.-:who .were sent to die in Russia and the .African desert in the interests of Germany* Italian people will forget the aggression solely never and looting of all kinds of the German insults of those weeks which hove liberties, the reactions of Italians and which widen amply‘ justified, ■ even rendered necessary more and. more the gulf which exists between the two peoples*" "The. throw Germans out of Italy the faster will more, rapidly wc come.' our liberation return of national life" said "The Fatherland and the our Badoglio, will arise from the ruins alive, than both spiritually and more ever before, materially, long and faith animate all Italians" he concluded* "For so as harmony the task of material reconstruction the .Government trusts in Anglo-American collaboration" he, said. MINISTRY OF INFORMATION . 21*9.43 ~ No. 6 From DAVID Representing Combined British Press BROWN, With General Eisenhower, Advanced Allied Headquarters, 18th September, 1 943 General Eisenhower the fullest satisfaction with the of the expressed progress invasion of Southern Italy. The success of, the operation to date exemplifies once the results to be obtained of and forces in the more through use air, ground sea. closest co-operation* Commander-in-Chiof found in good order and everybody The Allied things very heart the of exhaustive visit in company working hard and in good during course an travelled for by with General Clark and admiral Hewitt, during which he 3 1/2 hours and amphibious duck aeroplane, cruiser, P*T. boat, landing-craft, jeep, peep available the forces to virtually every method of transportation to invading of the Allied front Italian soil. inspect the larger part on General Eisenhower spent some time at each of the Army Headquarters, Corps he characterised Headquarters, Divisional Headquarters and field hospital. Everywhere at the he full of the conduct of the troops as absolutely splendid and hospital was for the of the wounded praise unquenchable spirit men* General Eisenhower had a close look at the artillery whose ceaseless efforts contributed to the establishment of the bridgehead* He remained for so heavily some time with a battery in action and stood beside the gunners while they were firing their pieces* General Eisenhower arrived in the Salerno area aboard a British vessel which which brought him from Palermo. a speedboat then ferried him to the landing-craft put him ashore where he transferred successively to a jeep, and a smaller peep for the battle fronts tour* A German shell landed near General. 'Clark's Fifth Army Headquarters while General Eisenhower there. the whine in the tent instinctively was Hearing warning’ everyone hit the dirt General Eisenhower and General Clark who interestedly - except were so conferring together that they failed to hear the shell whistle and remained seated, talking, unaware what was happening] until after the shell had harmlessly exploded near by. The untried American Fifth Army divisions have given an excellent account of them- Selves* General Eisenhower also highly praised the conduct of the British troops whhen he regretfully was unable to visit on this trip though he received accounts of their action from several British officers who reported to him during the tour* The losses in establishing the bridgehead have been reasonably heavy but no greater than was anticipated in view of the fact that the Allied troops faced the most bitter opposition from the moment of the beaches* landing on The fighting at Salerno was the hardest the American troops had yet been up against anywhere and the British have been in the thick of it too* Acknowledging the losses the Allied Commander know at the beginning that it was very risky and that we were playing for big stakes* The enemy claims that they wore throwing us into the sea had no foundation at any time however. The Army, Navy and Air Force working beautifully together applied tremendous power whenever it needed and when the situation to be blackest he was even appeared never believed the Germans could do anything against our artillery concentrations and naval gunfire. Throughout the planning stages of the campaign and its execution to date Admiral Cunningham, Air Marshal Tedder and General Alexander have skilfully directed their respective forces and co-ordinated them with the other services* The conduct and morale of the troops of all three services is of the highest order and their is efficiency evidenced by the results they have achieved* The Allied forces rapidly into undertake seriously are getting position to a major battle with the German forces in Italy. When board the British vessel General Eisenhower endeared himself to the on ship’s by informal^ and brief complement an talk over the ship’s public address system* The sailors cheered him heartily at the conclusion and when he left,in addition to the usual sailors honours standing at attention on the decks during the piping of the bosun’s whistle other guests ,gave him three lusty and formal ceremonies for distinguished hip-hip hoorays". MINISTRY OF INFORMATION 21/9/43 - No. 8 NOT FOR PUBLICATION, BROADCAST, OR USE ON CLUB TAPES BEFORE C8.30 B.S.T. (i.e. FOR EVENING PAPERS; ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1943 THIS EMBARGO SHOULD BE RESPECTED OVERSEAS BY PREFACING ANY MESSAGES FILED WITH THE EMBARGO Air Ministry Bulletin No. 11554 Air Ministry News Service AMERICAN PILOT WITH FIGHTER COMMAND A former American professional parachutist, now a Typhoon pilot with Fighter Command, recently scored his first success By sharing - with a Canadian In the destruction of off pilot - a Me. 109 the South coast of England. He is F/Sgt. R.L. (*pete) Shelton, of Richmond, Virginia,, and it was his squadron*s first score as well. F/Sgt, Shelton, who joined the squadron only five weeks ago, said "I had Hun aircraft till this Messerschmitt We were mighty never seen a came along glad to notch it up as our first". He did more than 800 parachute jumps at air shows all over America Before the war and had more than 2,300 flying hours to his credit. "I have Been interested in flying since I was 12", F/Sgt, Shelton said, elder Brother lines. lessons "My was a pilot and. worked on the air mail I took when I about 20 at the central In and had. aircraft. was airport Richmond, my own "I decided to get into the when it in I sold war started, so December, 1939, my aircraft and went to Canada with a friend to join the R,C«A#F* but they could not take just around Montreal for three months and us then, so we hung waiting but all that broke. hoping, happened was we went "I went Back home and travelled around with the air shows again, till In I went Back to Canada and in the R,G#A,, May, 1941, was accepted I made instructor. Then when, I got to England, was an eventually, across I had to lot of before to go through a courses myself getting my present squadron” Describing the 'shooting down of the Messerschmitt 109, F/Sgt, Shelton said "I shared it with F/0 Halter .Ahrens, of Rosetown, Saskatchewan, who was my number one. "When we spotted the Me, 109 it was about two miles ahead, I suspected from above the he was acting as a decoy for others ready to pounce on us clouds, so I snooped, around, doing some *lazy eights* while F/O Ahrens closed in and gave him some Bursts, "I of the hood then wheel down. The Hun started saw part fly off, a came I then him in his tank blew hits of climbing,. tore in, hitting many places, up, his the other wheel down and fuel sprayed out and-covered wing cane off, came my Typhoon. the He "The Hun went down in a flat spin and vanished under water. was as full of holes as a sponge By that time". 21/9/43. No. 9 NOT FOR OR USE CLUB TAPES PUBLICATION, BROADCAST., ON 'BEFORE 00,30 B.S.T. {i.e. FOR HORNING PAPERS) ON WEDNESDAY. SEPTEMBER 22, 1943 ’ * THIS EMBARGO SHOULD BE RESPECTED OVERSEAS BY PREFACING ' ANY MESSAGES’ FILED WITH' THE EMBARGO His Majesty the King has been pleased to approve the under- mentioned appointment. . , To be Colonel of the Devonshire Regimen Colonel H, Street, D.S.O:, with effect from the 13th September 1943 in succession to Major Sir Charles Maynard, K.C.B., C,M.G., D,S,O., who completes his tenure of the appointment on that date. WAR OFFICE ' 21/9/43 - No. 10 NOT FOR OR PUBLICATION, BROADCAST, USE ON CLUB TAPES BEFORE 0030 B.S.T. (i.e. FOR MORNING- PAPERS) ON WEDNESDAY 22nd SEPTEMBER, 1943 , THIS EMBARGO SHOULD BE RESPECTED OVERSEAS BY PREFACING ANY MESSAGES FILED WITH THE EMBARGO COLONEL Of ROYAL SUSSEx REGIMENT The King has been pleased to approve the undermentioned appointment: - To be Colonel, The Royal Sussex Regiment Colonel (acting Brigadier) T.F,V. Foster, C.B.E,, M,C. retired pay. Reserve of Officers (re-employed) with effect from the 1st 1942 in succession to December, Colonel (honorary Brigadier) R. LI. Birkett, D. S.O,, deceased. WAR OFFICE 21.9.43 - No. 12 MIDDLE EAST AIR COMMUNIQUE Headquarters, Royal Air Force Middle East fighter Royal Air Force/aircraft have landed on the island of Cos, one of the Dodecanese group. The aerodrome has been occupied, and our aircraft operating from it, Italian the island are now personnel on are co-operating. the few several air attacks have been During past days, enemy beaten off. Yesterday our fighters, which included a squadron of the South African Air Force destroyed a Heinkel 111, On the previous Ju.88 shot down day, a was while_ attempting to attack the island. Liberators of the 9th U.S,A,A,F, bombed Venice end Pescara yesterday. An explosion, followed by smoke rising to 5,000 feet, was observed in the Venice area, but heavy cloud prevented observation of full results. At Pescara., bursts were seen on the railway yards and the approaches to both road and rail bridges, Bombs .also burst among aircraft of the aerodrome, Royal Air Force Wellingtons, during the nights of September 18/19 and 19/20, bombed targets in the Aegean sea and on the Greek mainland, attacked aircraft Malme Beaufighters on aerodrome, Crete, on the night of September 19/20, In daylight yesterday, Beaufighters attacked shipping at Scarpanto Island, From these and other operations three of our .aircraft are missing. 21.9.43 - No. 15 FOOD CONTROL COMMITTEES (CONSTITUTION) O RDER. 1943 The Minister of Food has revoked the Food Control Committees (Constitution) Order, 1942 and re-enacted the with .certain modifications. The main changes provisions are as follows (a) Provision has "been made for the appointment of a trade (employee) member on every Food Control Committee or Joint Food Control Committee ■and in retail food will be eligible for enployees shops appointment with the of will be ineligible but, exception managers, employees now for appointment as trade members. (b) in order to preserve the balance- of representation between consumer and Local Authorities will have discretion to appoint non-consumer members, to two additional members. up consumer (c) Provision is made for a Committee's term of office, which previously expired on December 31, to continue until the new Committee is constituted. MINISTRY OF FOOD 21.9.43 - No, 16 OFFICIAL RETAIL PRICE LIST (GROCERIES AND PROVISIONS) The Ministry of Food announces that the fourth edition of the Official List of detail Controlled Prices (Groceries and Provisions) is now on sale. It contains up-to-date particulars of the controlled prices of Groceries and and is of provisions, point values, rationing information, etc., great value to consumers and traders in foodstuffs. The publication may be purchased direct from H.W. Stationery Office, price 6d, net (post 7d,) or 50 copies for 20s, Od, (post 20s, 10d,), or through any book- seller. MINISTRY OF FOOD 21.9.43 - N0.17 CONFERENCE OF AIRCRAFT WORKERS A of aircraft workers took in London this morning. secret conference place One each from the workers and the attended from each representative managements of 500. aircraft factories. The addressed the Minister some conference was by of Aircraft Sir Stafford Production, Cripps, the of the the received During course proceedings following message was from the Prime Minister, and was read by Sir Stafford Cripps to the conference "To the Minister of Aircraft Production. of "I understand that you are having a meeting of representatives the aircraft I "should he if you would tell them from industry, and glad me what a supremely important part they are called upon to play in the coming months of our offensive against the the Japanese. "It is impossible to the need for the most efficient over-emphasise and to date aircraft in the numbers. up greatest possible "The contribution of tho aircraft industry to our war effort has results already been very great, but we are expecting even better from them in the months ahead. "The of production, due to the of high quality our ingenuity our designers and the skill of and workers alike, has given managements us superiority over the enemy in many theatres of war. This superiority we must maintain at all and at the same time must increase the costs, we weight of offensive find the occupied territories. our against Germany "I of country am-sure that the Government and the people our can rely the aircraft to put their backs into it to the utmost upon industry and so-shorten the agony of the war. "WINSTON CHURCHILL" The conference attended officials the Ministry of Aircraft was by of and of the Fleet Air Am, Royal Air Force, and Production, by representatives the T.U.C, At the end of the conference the resolution proposed following was General and seconded by Mr* J. Lyno, Secretary, Woodcutting Machinists, by Miss National General Municipal Workers: Dorothy Elliott, organiser, "That this of of the aircraft meeting representatives industries from all parts of the country pledges the industry the Air Force to devote its untiring efforts to provide Royal output of aircraft and the Fleet Air Arm with the greatest within its power". The resolution was carried unanimously. Admiral the Fifth Sea behalf* of the Fleet Air Boyd, Lord, replied on Arm and the Royal Air Force, MINISTRY OF AIRCRAFT PRODUCTION 21/9/43 - No*24 BY B,H» T« GINGELL. ThE BRITISH PRESS with the 5th ARMY SEPT 21 The general impression to he gained from yesterday's fighting is that the enemy is generally loosening up as he swings back on his pivot from Salerno* One of advanced pushing into the hills from Salerno our patrols German patrol which trouble. came across a was- obviously expecting some The British however, got their fire in first, killing the German- troops, officer leading the party, wounded his second in command and the others ran away* reports from the troops in the Lattari hills that Following German troops -were moving along the Salerno-Nocera road signals were sent to the Air Force and they ’were bombed to such good effect that the signal back from the troops the dose," came "Bravo, repeat MINISTRY OF INFORMATION 21/9/43 - No, 25 NORTH AFRICA COMMUNIQUE NO, 313 Allied Force Command Post September 21 army The Eighth Army continues to advance in the face of light opposition. In the Salerno-Agropoli sector the Fifth Amy has made more progress, Eboli has been captured. A IR During the night of September 19/20 light bombers of the R# A,F, attacked road junctions and railways in the battle area and between Rome and Naples, Yesterday unescorted heavy and medium bombers attacked road junctions and railways at Torre Sarno, castelnuovo and Annunziata, Formia> encountering no enemy aircraft. Medium bombers also attacked road at Avellino and Calabritto, junctions near Castelnuovo., Fighter bombers attacked transport near Potenza, and set many enemy vehicles on fire. They also broke an enemy troop concentration north west up of Salerno, maintained patrols the battle where air activity Fighters over area, was small scale. Last communication at Benevento attacked on a night targets -were by night bombers. of None our aircraft is missing from these operations* 21.9.43. No, 26. AGRICULTURAL WAGES At their meeting the Agricultural Wages today Board, following their decisions at their previous meeting to an increase propose of 5/-d, in the national mininun wage for men, gave consideration to increases in the rates for other classes of and in the overtime workers, rates which would if after consultation with the they propose Agricultural wages committees the increase proposed in the national minimum is made effective. In the of female workers the Board that for workers case proposes aged 18 years and over there shall be a mininum wage in every County of not less than 48/- per week, leaving any existing higher rates unchanged. The Board, is the full details of its to the communicating proposals Agricultural Wages Committees and them to furnish their observations inviting by October 16, both on the proposed increase in the National minimum wage end on the contingent increases proposed in other rates. The Board is meeting to consider the 'Committee*s observations on the 27th after which notice of the changes will be October,, statutory proposed given. It is expected that under the by legislation the procedure required Board will be able to the revised rates into about the bring operation by middle of December, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE 21,9.43 - No.27. NOT FOR BROADCAST OR PUBLICATION, USE ON -CLUB TAPES BEFORE 00,30 B.S*T. (i.e, FOR MORNING- PAPERS) ON WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 22, THIS EMBARGO SHOULD BE RESPECTED OVERSEES BY PREFACING ANY MESSAGES PILED WITH THE EMBARGO. TRANSPORT AND SEED POTATOES FROM SCOTLAND TO ENGLAND AND WALES - SEASON 1943/1944 The Minister of'Food has issued Directions under the Food Transport Order, 1941, regulating the transport of seed potatoes from to and Wales Scotland England between September 26,1941 and .April 30, 1944. The purposes of those Directions, which ore similar to those made last to relieve the traffic which may season, are railways of reasonably be diverted to to that the best is made of the a sea route, ensure use available rail facilities and to make seed available in good time for s planting next crop. season The main provisions of the Directions are as follows:- 1) From September 26 to October 16,1943, seed potatoes may be consigned from Scotland to Wales subject to conditions England or by any route, respecting the consignment of at least six tons of one variety to each destination and the inclusion of certain details in the railway consignment note being with,. complied 2) From October 17,1943 to April'30, 1944, seed potatoes- of any variety other than Edward Majestic and Doon Star be ’ King VII, may transported by rail from Scotland to England or Wales, subject to the -conditions mentioned in (1) above and to a loading permit being obtained from the Ministry, 3) From October 17,1943, to April 30,1944, seed potatoes of the varieties King Edward Majestic and Doon Star be transported VII, may from Scotland to England Wales route, subject to certain or by a sea conditions, namely, that the in bags; that potatoes are sewn-up certain details are marked on the bags; that stated particulars are entered the consignment and that each consignment consists on note; of not less than six tons of seed of one variety for one consignee at one destination. The Directions de not apply' to seed potatoes grown in Wigtownshire, to Kirkcudbrightshire, Dumfriesshire, Roxburghshire and Berwickshire, or of less than ton each for destination. consignments one any one MINISTRY OF FOOD 21/9/43 - No. 28. NOT FOR PUBLICATION, BROADCAST OR USE ON CLUB TREES BEFORB 0030 HOURS B.S*T. (a*e. FOR MORNING PAPERS) ON WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 22, 1943 THIS EMBARGO SHOULD BE RESPECTED OVERSEAS BY PREFACING ANY MESSAGES FILED YWITH THE EMBARGO APPOINTMENT OF MR. J.P.R. MAUD AS SECOND SECRETARY (ACTING) The Minister of Food has appointed Mr. J.P.R. Maud, C.B.E., to be a Second Secretary (Acting) to the Ministry of Food in the absence of Mr, E* Second who is with the British Food Twentyman, Secretary, serving Mission in Washington. MINISTRY OF FOOD. 21/9/43 * No. 30 MR. DONALD NELSON IN LONDON Mr, Donald Nelson Chairman of the war production Board of the United States of America, arrived in London today and called immediately on Mr. Oliver Lyttelton, Minister of production, with whom he is to discuss common problems of war production in both countries. , / This is Mr. Nelson’s first visit to this country since his appointment. He was invited here by Mr. Oliver Lyttelton who has twice been to the last twelve months. Washington during his stay Donald Nelson will also visit of During Mr. some Britain's factories and of the U,S, forces in war see something this country* MINISTRY OF PRODUCTION 21/9/43 - No Q OFFICIAL ADmIRaLTY COmmunique no,876 While on patrol off the Dutch coast near Ijmuiden early yesterday morning, light coastal forces of the Royal Navy under the command of Lieutenant Commander D*G, Bradford, R#N*R., encountered supply ship of large size D,S,C, an energy accompanied by a strong escort of patrol vessels, armed trawlers and minesweepers H.M# ships able to approach unobserved to close and the were range supply ship was attacked by torpedo. Two hits were scored between funnel and foremast and the vessel sank. The heavily armed escorts also successfully enemy were engaged# One trawler left with her stern fire and in sinking condition. was awash, on a A second escort to burst into flames# enemy ship was seen All H#M* ships returned safely to harbour. There was a small number of casualties# The next of kin have been informed. ADMIRALTY, S# W# 1» 3 21.9.43. No.34 B.H.T. GINGELL, REPRESENTING- THE COMBINED BRITISH .PRESS With Fifth Army. Sept# 20. is in flames* Naples From the island of Procida great of smoke be a ball can seen over the sacked the city which, reports indicate, is "being systematically by Germans, MINISTRY OF INFORMATION •21/9/43 - No. 33 By s.G Sale representing the Combined British Press i ‘with the Fifth ARmY the Fifth Army continued steadily to push forward, It is reported that Naples is covered'with a huge pall of smoke from the demolitions the Germans "are carrying out. The destruction to be seems on a "huge scale. Rumours coming over the mountains say that disease has broken that out and the Germans are sacking the place. There is no doubt that the Germans are treating the Italians with a very rough hand. The Germans are imposing the severest penalties on the Italians because of the of their machine. sabotageing war MINISTRY OF INFORMATION 21/9/43 - No. 36 DESPATCH FROM WILLIAM MUNDAY REPRESENTING THE COMBINED AUSTRALIAN PRESS Sept* 21 The destruction of Naples is to he seen from Procida, It is unlikely, however, that the Germans do not intend to dispute Naples and into it from the Salerno until the last possible moment. pass bridgehead They will be anxious to delay of base for our. use Naples as a as long as possible, and at the same time have it as long as possible to themselves to for their next line of defensive prepare positions. The first phase of the Fifth task in they centre is said to * Army s be completed; The is established, and the is bridgehead firmly enemy now withdrawing under pressure. An fact is that at time astonishing no was a large organised attack directed against it by the Germans to defend an area vital to them. MINISTRY OF INFORMATION 21/9/43- - No. 38 Air Ministry 'News Service Air Ministry Bulletin M 0.11567 BAY OP BISCAY BATTLE Eight JU.88's routed in the of Biscay this evening by four were Bay Fighter Command Mosquitos, One of the enemy aircraft was destroyed and others severely damaged. The outnumbered by two to and hundreds of Mosquitos, although one, miles from a home base, came back safely after their running fight. The Ju,88 which shot down shared by two pilots, who set both was was fire. the bomber dive into the of flames. engines on They saw sea a mass Earlier in trains engines the evening two Mustangs shot up five goods of flak trucks. over France, damaging one -which was drawing a load five 21/9/43 - No., 37 BY FRANK GILLARd REPRESENTING THE COMBINED BRITISH PRESS Fifth Army.. Sept. 21st. Observers on Island procida. report that the Germans are sacking Naples. The city is completely obscured by a cloud of black smoke. Repeated explosions heard and obviously great damage is done by the are being enemy. MINISTRY OF INFORMATION