Axis still retreats –
Yanks occupy another port
U.S. prisoner total in Sicily now 70,000
By Virgil Pinkley, United Press staff writer
Allied HQ, North Africa –
Allied troops drove the Axis deeper into its last foothold of northern Sicily today as the Americans captured the port of Termini Imerese, 20 miles southeast of Palermo, and boosted their number of prisoners to more than 70,000.
As the final lunge to crush the enemy on Sicily approached, the German and Italian forces fell back to a line starting in the foothills of Mt. Etna south of Catania and running north and west to San Stefano on the north coast. The enemy-held coastline had already been reduced to little more than 135 miles.
Sweeping eastward
Sweeping eastward to help jam the Axis farther back on its escape bridgehead on the Strait of Messina, the U.S. 7th Army took 7,000 new prisoners, including six Italian generals and an admiral.
Axis resistance stiffened as the combined British, American and Canadians drive under continuous air support drove the enemy back with pressure from all sides.
Lt. Gen. George S. Patton’s forces strengthened their hold on the northern coastal road on which Termini Imerese is a major point. The capture of the new generals brought the total of Italian generals now in Allied hands to 10.
Canadians push on
Canadian troops pushing forward in the center had driven 10-15 miles northeast of Enna in a threat to cut squarely through the middle of the Axis lines.
Strong German forces, still resisting the British 8th Army before Catania on the east, were reported to be receiving some reinforcements.
The Nazi 29th Motorized Division was identified in the Messina area above Catania, bringing the total of enemy troops in the Mt. Etna area to at least three and a half German divisions and three Italian divisions.
Army marks time
Waiting for the American and Canadian pushes to catch up, the 8th Army reduced its activity to patrols.
Allied medium bombers attacked the port of Milazzo, 17 miles west of Messina across the northeastern corner of the island, setting many fires in an attack Saturday night, while Allied fighters maintained patrols throughout the area.
Three enemy planes were shot down by night fighters and one Allied plane was missing.
Beaufighters of the Middle East Command bombed the airdrome at Kalamata in southern Greece during daylight Saturday, scoring direct hits.