PM from C. Italy: reports for May 16, 15th Panzer Grenadier Division to give up one...

HW 1/2801

1944 May 17

PM from C.

Italy: reports for May 16, 15th Panzer Grenadier Division to give up one battalion to 94th Infantry Division; 90th Panzer Grenadier Division to defend against superior Allied forces attacking near and north of Piumorola; 1st Parachute Division reporting strong Allied tank and infantry attacks; 2nd Air Fleet situation report for May 16, summary of Allied air operations and German reconnaissances and patrols; short reports of Allied raids on Northern Italy, May 13, number of railway installations damaged in Po valley and near Venice; situation report from CinC South-West Army Group C for May 15, withdrawal of 71st Infantry Division according to plan; convoy of landing craft moving south off Vicenza fired on without success, Allied ground attacks supported by strong formations of medium and light bombers, railway installations at Treviso, Ferrara, Padua and Mestre heavily damaged; incomplete details of German defence positions in Southern Alps, May 14, probably from CinC South-West.

Western Europe: 3rd Air Fleet reports 9th Air Corps' appreciation of night operation against Bristol May 14-15, navigational aids CELIBATE, BENITO, TRUHE and KNICKBEANE problems because of jamming, bombing done by straight navigation, no effects on town observed, diversionary raids made on South Coast, 11 out of 13 Kettenhund, aircraft lost, reference to switching on apparatus simultaneously with RUFFLE; 9th Air Corps' appreciation of night air raids against Portsmouth May 15-16, unfavourable weather conditions, pathfinder Operation 4 (BENITO) not effective, TRUHE (BLOWPIPE) not useable because Phase-shift operation (CELIBATE) jammed by Allies, assumption that 50% of bombs fell in target area; German speculation on possibly new explosive being used by Allies in bombs dropped in Pas de Calais area, May 13; PM's query and General Ismay's response, May 16.

Eastern Europe: instructions for aircraft landing at airfields in Zilistea area, in regard to lack of aviation fuel, May 9.

Naval Headlines: destroyer activities in Norwegian waters; ships destroyed in air raid on Ancona, May 15; operation against Krk island by police planned, will need strong sea patrol; 1600 Jews to be transported from Corfu to Piraeus; three weeks stocks of fuel for Danube Flotilla, obtaining supplies from Turnu Severin impossible; Japanese assessment of operation COCKPIT attack by US forces on Sabang, Apr 19; Japanese submarine depot ship Urakami Maru, possibly intended as flag ship of 6th Submarine Fleet destroyed in US carrier strike on Palao, Mar 30.

Siamese minister, Berlin: recent day-time air raids on Berlin, prospects for Allied invasion of Europe, May 10.

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