21/7. 1943 9.= pm Richard Wessel
Since the fall of Enna yesterday Axis forces
are retreating from the West and the Centre.
12 days since the Allied troops went
ashore part of the island is in their hands.
South of Catania fighting continues.
Everywhere except near Catania the
enemy is in retreat. Enna was kept by
Americans and Canadians yesterday and
they are now pushing on beyond Enna.
Two experienced Italian divisions are
in retreat before the Americans. These
divisions are supposed to be motorized
but the Germans have taken all the transport
from them. Whether the Germans intend to
stay in the North Eastern corner of Sicily is
not yet clear. It looks as if Palermo, Trapani
and Marsala will be evacuated.
General Eisenhower left no doubt about
his conviction that the Allies will soon
be victorious in Sicily.
Day and night airfields in Southern Italy
are being bombed. We lost 6 aircraft and
6 of the enemy were shot down.
More Red Army progress is reported down
Orel and also are the Russians advancing
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