Germans ready to take over all of Italy
Nazis stir up discontent in Allied country to prolong stand
By Helen Kirkpatrick
Allied HQ, North Africa –
Germans are not only content with the present unrest and disorder in Italy, but are actually stirring them up to their own advantage, according to several reports here.
If the Badoglio government cannot exert control soon, it would not be surprising to see the Germans take over Italy completely, occupying it as they have other European countries. While such a move would put an acute strain on overstretched German manpower, it would also prolong the war by months to Nazi advantage.
Unrest continues
Italian unrest continues as the Sicilian campaign nears its end and the Allies approach the tip of that island, just two miles from the Italian mainland. United Nations air units have already bombed Naples and other nearby mainland points and our bombers will soon be within easy striking distance of all Italy.
Reports of what is going on in Italy are difficult to confirm here, but it is certain that the weeks immediately following Sicily’s fall will see many changes.
The length of time it will take to wrest Italy from the war will depend upon the nature of these changes.
Nazis move south
A determined peace action on the part of the Badoglio government would put an end, at least temporarily, to disorders in Italy. But an orderly population, backing up any government which would make acceptable peace overtures to the Allies, would demand German withdrawal from the bulk of the Italian mainland.
That might mean a fight between Germans and Italians, as well as the Allies.
Meanwhile, reports continue that German troops are not stopping at the Po Line, but that reinforcements – several armored divisions, some unconfirmed advices state – are being sent from Verona to the south.