AIR BLITZ OPENS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 107, 7 May 1943, Page 3

AIR BLITZ OPENS

OYER LAND AND SEA Great Fires Burning In Ports Of Bizerta And Tunis N.Z.P.A. and British Wireless Rec. 2 p.m. LONDON, May 6. A great Allied air blitz began in Tunisia yesterday, when Axis supply lines, ports, communications and supply dumps in forward positions Were given a merciless hammering, j The British United Press correpondent with the Allied air forces says Bizerta's docks, wharves and shipyards are burning as the Allies bomb and shell this important Axis supply port and naval base. Tunis is also being heavily bombed. Clouds .of white smoke are pouring over both ports. "Yesterday heavy and medium bombers renewed attacks in strength on enemy shipping, ports and airfields," states an Allied Headquarters communique. "Flying Fortresses sank a large merchant vessel while medium bombers sank a ship and scored hits on three others. On one shipping sweep an escort_ of Lightning fighters shot down nine enemy aircraft which they encountered. "The harbours of Tunis and La Goulette were bombed by Flying Fortresses. Many bombs were seen to burst in the target area and a large ship was hit.

"Fighter-bombers in the Gulf of Tunis scored direct hits on three vessels. "Throughout the day fighter planes were active over the battle areas and destroyed two enemy aircraft. From all operations four of our aircraft are missing."