13/7-1943 9.= pm John Snagge
After a bombardment from the sea
Augusta which is a U-boat and seaplane
base has been taken whereas Ragusa has
also been captured.
Allied losses are slight. The Syracuse port
is in good working order and Floridia 8 miles
beyond it has also been taken.
There are reports about landings near
Catania but these have not been confirmed.
Progress is officially described as good and
the depth of our penetration amounts
to 20 miles. In the Western section the advance
continues and a great number of prisoners
has been taken as well as lots of war material
captured. Canadians entered Ragusa meeting
the Americans from the west. Yesterday's
counterattack made by the enemy were
heavy. The tanks used were of French origin but
out of date. The number of prisoners is
growing and the prisoners captured include
1 Italian general. The enemy's defenses lack
cohesion. Supplies of Allied equipment,
material and men are still landing.
The has been some bombing of our shipping
by enemy aircraft. In all we employed
some 3000 ships but losses of and damage
to ships are light. The civil population of
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