SIX DESTROYED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 38, 15 February 1943, Page 3

SIX DESTROYED

TRANSPORT PLANES

Enemy Losses In Air Attacks In Tunisia Zone

Rec. 1 p.m. RUGBY, Feb. 14. "On the Tunisian front activity on both sides was limited to patrolling," says the North African communique. "Our bombers attacked El Aouina airfield in Tunis, and shot down four enemy fighters in combat. Bombers and fighters on a sea sweep destroyed six enemy transport aircraft between Tunisia and Sicily. Last night our bombers attacked the docks at Bize;:ta. "On Friday night two enemy bombers were destroyed. From all operations two of our aircraft are missing."

The American Army communique from Cairo states that Liberator heavy bombers of the Ninth United States Air Force attacked Naples harbour and the shipping facilities at Crotone during day and night today. The results of the bombing of Naples were not observed owing to complete cloud coverage over the city. At Crotone, bombs were seen to burst on the barracks and warehouses and large fires were left burning. All our aircraft returned. r 'ln the coastal sector our troops made further progress yesterday and were in contact with the enemy withdrawing towards Ben Gardane," says the Middle East communique. "Patrol activity was continued in other sectors. "Air activity yesterday over the battle area was on a small scale, although our' fighter-bombers attacked vehicles west of Ben Gardane. • Considerable damage was inflicted on rail communications in Sicily by our raiders on Friday night. Fighter-bombers operated over Sicily. One of our aircraft is missing."