SMASHING ALLIED RAID ON NAPLES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 169, 19 July 1943, Page 3

SMASHING ALLIED RAID ON NAPLES

500 PLANES ATTACK

Italian Communique Admits Immense Damage N.Z.P.A. and British Wireless Rec. 11.30 a.m. LONDON, July 18. In the greatest combined air assault ever launched against the Italian mainland Allied planes yesterday made a smashing raid on Naples. More than 500 bombers battered targets in the city. An Italian communique says the raid caused immense damage in the city and suburbs. The correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph in North Africa says Naples was plastered by the greatest air blitz ever launched against the Axis in the Mediterranean. Wellington bombers began the attack in the darkness of early morning, dropping 4000'b "block-busters," also many 10001b bombs. Flying Fortresses followed with a daylight attack. Immediately afterwards Marauders and Mitchells, escorted by Lightnings, added to the destruction. The Fortresses returned to finish the job.

The attack lasted SO minutes. Fierce anti-aircraft fire met the 500 Allied planes which carried out the blitz. Enemy fighters did not appear until several minutes after the initial attack. Lightnings shot down several. Enemy Fighters Late Tall columns of smoke almost obscured Naples after a terrific explosion near the Royal Arsenal, black smoke rising over the city to a height of 500 ft. When the attack was over the railway yards had been pulverised. It was said by some of the crews to be one of the most punishing attacks ever launched. The terrific explosion from the Royal Arsenal, which was observed during the raid by the Fortresses, sent a sheet of flame several hundred feet into the air. One gunner reported that he was attacked by seven fighters. He got one and returned unharmed. Malta Planes' Record A Malta message says that by destroying 13 enemy aircraft on Friday night intruder aircraft based on Malta achieved their highest week's score. They were aided bj r a brilliant moon. Meanwhile, Mosquitoes were standing guard over Southern Italy. Two Mosquitoes of a patrol bound for Naples attacked railway trucks., buildings and motor transport, while others shot up a schooner oil the coast. FIRES STILL BURN Cologne Damage Revealed In Photographs NAZI TRANSPORT PROBLEMS Rec. 1.30 p.m. RUGBY, July 18. At least 1000 acres were devastated in Cologne in the great raid of June 28, and much damage was done to the submarine engine works. So much smoke hung over the city after the raids of June 28, July 3 and July S that interpretation of photographs was difficult. Reconnaissance a week after the raids has revealed that fires are still burning in many important factories, which were badly damaged. Railways and military barracks were also hit. The air assault on Germany and occupied countries, which has been aimed at dislocating traffic and doing damage to factories, is likely to cause a bottleneck in production and replacements. Reports from France indicate that the Germans are experiencing serious transport problems because of replacement difficulties, attacks on trains and coal shortages. JOKE ON GESTAPO Search For Spy And Discover A Statue NORWEGIAN HUMOUR British Official Wireless Rec. 1 p.m. LONDON, July 18. An anonymous letter stopped in the post by a Norwegian censor sent the Gestapo agents at Trondheim on a false chase. It was addressed to Peter Wessel. 5, Koengenstrasse, Trondheim, and reproached him for his inactivity against the Germans. "We hope to see you on the day when action is planned," the letter StfitGCl. Four carloads of Gestapo agents and Black Guards advanced from each end of Koengenstrasse and converged on the square. Near No. 5 they found their man—Peter Wessel Todenskjold, a Norwegian naval hero (1691-1720). His statue stands in the square. DEATH SENTENCE FIRST RUSSIAN QUISLINGS Rec. 12.30 p.m. LONDON, July I'B. Moscow radio announced that eight Russian Quislings, including one woman, found guilty of aiding the Gestapo in the Kuban, were condemned to death by hanging. Three others were sentenced to penal servitude for 20 years. This is believed to be the first case of ■ its kind in Russia. • i