R.A.F. STRIKES AT ITALY

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23447, 30 September 1941, Page 7

R.A.F. STRIKES AT ITALY

Targets in Germany Also Raided DAYLIGHT SWEER OVER FRANCE (Received September 29, 11 p.m.) (U.P.A.-8.0.W.l LONDON. Sept. 29. The Royal Air Force last night raided targets in northern Italy and southwest Germany. No details of the raids have yet been given. The last time northern Italy was attacked was three weeks ago when the Royal Air Force made its heaviest raid on the Royal Arsenal at Turin. Among the important industrial cities in south-west Germany are Munich. Stuttgart, Karlsruhe, and Mannheim. These night attacks followed daylight sweeps over occupied France in which no British machines were lost. An Air Ministry communique reporting these operations states that targets in northern France were attacked by British aircraft on patrol. Troops, a supply train, aircraft on the ground, and a machine-gun post were machinegunned. and an anti-aircraft gun Two petrol waggons were also set 'alight. Raids made by a few single aircraft over Britain last night caused some damage at two places and a few casualties. There was nothing to report about enemy operations over Britain in daylight. Week’s Activities Although comparative figures of air losses do not always give a fair picture of achievement, it is noteworthy that German air losses over Britain and occupied territory in the last week greatly exceeded those of the Royal Air Force. Royal Air Force operations over Germany and occupied territory have been much reduced because of unfavourable weather. However, strong forces of bombers and fighters made successful attacks during the day and night on September 21 on a power station at Gosnay in France, and railway objectives at Lille. In all, 24 German fighters were destroyed in these operations for the loss of 13 Royal Air Force fighters, but two pilots were saved and no bombers were lost. News was given this week of new Hurricanes equipped with powerful armament—l2 guns or four cannon. They have gained further successes against enemy shipping. During daylight on September 26 they attacked four minesweepers and two anti-air-craft ships, probably destroying two minesweepers and damaging the antiaircraft ships. .A Royal Air Force fighter also sank a patrol vessel off the French coast. The Coastal Command also made successful attacks on enemy ships off the coast of Norway. A 5000-ton supply ship was hit and a 6000-ton supply ship was believed to have been hit. The docks at Calais, Dunkirk, and Boulogne were raided by Bomber Command aircraft and also objectives at Cologne and in western Germany. On the afternoon of September 27 there was a big air sweep over France. The railway centre at Amiens and,a railway junction near Le Bassee were bombed with good results. Twentyone enemy fighters were destroyed for the loss of 14 Royal Air Force fighters. This attack was the week’s heaviest and Germany sent up more fighters than had been seen for a long time. A total of 28 British aircraft are missing from the week’s operations, but five pilots are safe, while 45 German fighters were destroyed. LEGLESS PILOT ESCAPES RECAPTURED AFTER FOUR DAYS (Received September 29, 9 p.m.) . LONDON, September 29. It is reported from Rome that Wing Commander D. R, S. Bader, the famous legless airman, who was shot down over France early in August, escaped from a German hospital, but was recaptured four days later 100 miles from the hospital heading for the French coast. He escaped by climbing out a window and using a blanket to reach the ground. •The report from Rome says Wing Commander Bader attempted to escape immediately the Royal Air Force delivered his new artificial leg on August 19. He slipped away from a party held to celebrate the arrival of the leg. The Germans ever since have taken one leg away each night, returning it in the morning. Wing Commander Bader is now in a regular prison camp. AUSTRALIAN BUDGET INDEPENDENT’S ATTITUDE SYDNEY, September 29. Mr A. Wilson, one of the Independents in the Federal House of Representatives, whose vote will save or wreck the Federal Government, gave an interview to the press which indicates that he may range himself with Labour against compulsory loans when the Budget is under discussion. He openly stated that the Budget would place burdens on the people which are heavier than they would be able to bear, and which would probably result in mass inability to meet fixed commitments entered into for homes, land, and businesses. Compulsory loans, he claimed, were doubtful finance. He saw no prospect of paying money after the war which could not be found to-day, CABLE MESSAGES IN BRIEF Turkey’s Black Sea Shipping.—The Berlin radio quoted a report from Ankara that Turkey has ordered the cessation of all her shipping in the Black Sea.—London, Sept. 28. British Trawlers Sunk.—The Admiralty announces that His Majesty’s trawlers Skudd 111 and Strathborve have been sunk. —London. Sept. 28. Former Shah Leaves Iran.—The former Shah of Iran sailed on Saturday from Bandar Abbas in the steamship Banderas. It was reported at first that he was going to India and then to South America. He left both his wives behind.—London, Sept. 28. Giant Flying-boat.—A mammoth naval aircraft, planned to carry 150 armed troops, is displayed at the Glenn Martin factory, Baltimore. It is the largest flying-boat ever built, and carries a crew of 11.—New York, Sept. 28. Free Austrian Movement—Dr. Willibald Prochl has announced the formation of a Free Austrian National Council in the United States, with M. Hans Rott as leader and himself as Chancellor. In view of the special circumstances of the present Austrian situation, M. Rott has assumed the position of Acting-President of Austria. —New York, Sept. 28.