MARSALA BOMBED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 181, 13 May 1943, Page 3

MARSALA BOMBED

THE HAMMERING OF SICILY.

AXIS SHIPPING destroyed; *

TOLL ON AIRCRAFT ALSO. (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright.) (Rec. 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, May 12. A communique issued in North Africa., says: “Yesterday the harbour, railroads, yards, warehouses and seaplane base at Marsala (Sicily) were attacked by a large force of hc-avy and medium bombers of the Strategic Air Foreo, with a fighter escort. Many very large fires were started and numerous direct hits were scored on various targets. During the course of this attack 15 enemy aircraft were dostro.ved in combat.

“Fighter-bombers attacked the shipping and harbour installations. Bombs were seen to hurst among a number of small vessels and fires were started in the back aiea. From all these operations one of our aircraft is missing.” A Middle Fast communique says: “In daylight yesterday heavy bombers of the United States Air Force, escorted by Royal Air Force fighters, carried out a highly-suecessful attack on the harbour of Catanina (Sicily). A strong force of bombers blew up an ammunition ship, set a tanker on fire and scored direct hits on other shipping. Damage was done to the moles and harbour installations, one mole, to which three ships were tied up, being demolished. The whole dock area was left in flames. “The bombers shot down a JL T BB and a Macchi 200 while returning to their base. “In a shipping sweep off the west coast of Greece on Monday, long-range fighters attacked a large schooner, setting it on fire. “Yesterday, in the Aegean, attacks were made on two enemy sailing vessels. The crew abandoned one ship after it had been badly damaged, while the second ship was beached on the island. During these operations two JUs2’s were shot down. “From these and other operations one of our aircraft is missing.” - An agency message from Allied Headquarters in Africa states that in the recent raid on Marsala 300,000 leaflets were dropped, telling the Italians they could help to prevent the bombing by praying for peace, demanding peace, and demonstrating for peace.—British Official Wireless.

THREE HUNDRED PLANES USED.

PANTELLARIA AGAIN ATTACKED. LONDON, May 11. A special communique from Allies Headquarters in North Africa, says: “Very strong forces of heavy bombers, escorted by over 100 fighters, dropped tons of bombs on the suburbs and p>orfc installations of Marsala, in Sicily, in ' daylight to-day. Direct hits were scored on warehouses and a vessel was sot: on fire. Vast fires were visible as . far as the African coast. (Cape Bon is 100. miles to the south-east.) “Simultaneously the port of Panetllaria underwent its sixth raid in four days. Two vessels were hit.”

A correspondent says that the greatraid on Marsala was made by nearly 200 bombers.

Yesterday fighter-bombers attacked the Biscari aerodrome, in -Sicily, says a Malta message. Bombs were seen to burst in the centre of the aerodrome and in dispersal areas.