Allied Commentary
Communique: Allied Landing
at Trapani, Sicily
I 020430Z JUL 43
FM ALLIED-US TUNIS TU//
TO POUS WASHINGTON DC//
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MSGID/ALLIED(USNORAFRFOR)-020430ZJUL43-0001//
SUBJ/EARLY REPORT ON ALLIED LANDINGS IN AXIS-OWNED SICILY, OPERATION
BRUSHFIRE//
RMKS/1. THIS COMMAND FEELS IT VITAL TO INFORM THE PRESIDENT OF
ALLIED MISFORTUNES OFF THE SHORES OF SICILY AT THIS EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY.
2. DUE TO INTELLIGENCE FAILURE WRT OPERATION BRUSHFIRE, HAVE LOST
MUCH OF THE US 20TH ENGINEER REGIMENT AT-SEA TO THE COASTAL ARTILLERY EMPLACEMENTS
NEAR MARSALA. MEASURES HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO SUPPRESS BY AIR THESE AND
SIMILAR EMPLACEMENTS AT TRAPANI, BUT THE DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE. THIS
COMMAND ALONE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ABOVE DISASTER, BUT DO FEEL IT IMPORTANT
TO RECOGNIZE NOW THE RESOLUTION AND BATTLE POISE OF OUR LOCAL NAVAL COMMANDERS
AND THEIR MEN WHO DID NOT TURN AWAY IN THE FACE OF THESE SURPRISE NIGHT
BOMBARDMENTS.
3. THE FLOTILLA AT TRAPANI IS ALSO EXPOSED TO COASTAL ARTILLERY.
THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF WHAT HAS TRANSPIRED OFF MARSALA, BUT ARE ALREADY
COMMITTED TO THE FINAL APPROACH AND MUST NOW FACE THE FIRE. ROYAL
NAVY WARSHIPS ARE ON ESCORT THERE TO SCREEN AND RETURN FIRE. WILL
ADVISE AT NEXT SOONEST OPPORTUNITY.
4. ALL OTHER LANDINGS ARE PROCEEDING UNEVENTFULLY, AND ALLIED COMBAT
AIR PATROLS ARE FIRMLY IN PLACE ACROSS WESTERN SICILY.
5. AM DRAFTING PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE TO THE FAMILIES OF ALL THOSE
WHO WERE LOST OFF THE COAST OF MARSALA AT THE HANDS OF MY OVERSIGHT.
6. THIS COMMAND HEREBY RESIGNS COMMISSION, AND WILL HANDLE NECESSARY
ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS AT SOONEST BREAK IN COMBAT ACTION IN SICILY.
WILL CONDUCT CHANGE-OF-COMMAND DEBRIEFING AS SOON AS MY REPLACEMENT IS
IN-THEATER.
7. MAJGEN WILLIAM ROBERT JONES SENDS.
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