ENEMY AIR BASE AT SALONIKA

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23985, 28 June 1943, Page 5

ENEMY AIR BASE AT SALONIKA

ATTACK BY HEAVY BOMBERS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, June 25. A communique from Cairo says that United States Liberators yesterday in daylight attacked the Sedes aerodrome at Salonika. They set fire to three hangars, hit buildings and dispersal areas, started oil fires, and destroyed at least three aircraft on the'ground. None of the American aircraft is missing. A hundred tons of bombs were dropped. The raid meant a round trip of 1100 miles. “The main objective of the raid against Sedes was to wipe out the air training centre which the Germans are using as their main supply base in the Mediterranean.” states the Cairo correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain. “They have strongly built up and enlarged the air facilities in this area. At least five aerodromes have been in operation there, including a seaplane station. “Sedes, which is described as a firstclass air base, is the largest and most important of these bases. The destruction was so extensive that the field is likely to be unserviceable for a long time. Pilots have reported, wide destruction to hangars, repair shops, barracks, and administration buildings.” The attack apparently caught the enemy unawares. Although the area was regarded as heavily defended, being the keypoint of Rommel’s new “Siegfried Line” in south-eastern Europe, the ground defence was extremely light, and no enemy fighters went up. Thousands of pamphlets bearing an °ncpuraging message to the Greeks were dropped by the American aeroplanes. Reuter’s correspondent in Cairo says: “Roaring over the target in two waves; the Libertaors blanketed the aerodrome with direct hits. Three large hangars were blown up, and a string of bombs also fell over the dispersal areas, which were so covered by dense smoke that the pilots were able to see only three aeroplanes destroyed. It is known that there was a concentration of enemy aeroplanes at Sedes, and it is therefore possible that a great many others were destroyed.”

VICTORY POSSIBLE NEXTJEAR GENERAL SMUTS ON WAR SITUATION (Rec. 10.15 p.m.) LONDON. June 27. General Smuts, spoaking at Johannesburg, said he knew now that the Allies could win, but also that winning might mean some of the heaviest land fighting of the whole war. Even if desperate Nazi and Fascist leaders had lost all hope of victory, as probably they had, they would continue to fight for a state of universal exhaustion and the stalemate of a compromise peace. "Victory, • complete and unconditional, is in sight, but the main struggle fbr it on the Continent of Europe Is still to come—this year and perhaps to be continued to a conclusion next year,” General Smuts said. "For that struggle the Allies are marshalling all their manpower and material resources. The great hour is approaching. There is a hush of expectancy in men’s hearts. Immense issues are at stake.” Appealing to South Africans not to rest content with the cleaning up of Africa, but to follow the tide of war across the Mediterranean to the final decisive European fronts. General Smuts said; “Europe calls and our Springbok prisoners in Italy call us to come and fetch them. We must answer the call, not only of our comrades, but also of the small nations which are now victims of Nazi oppression. The cause of freedom is indivisible and it will not be won finally anywhere until it is won everywhere.’

NEW SERVICE DECORATIONS AFRICA AND 1939-43 STARS (8.0. W.) RUGBY, June 26. The issue of the first two service medals for the present war have been announced by the King. They are the Africa Star and the 1939-43 Star, which had their counterpart in the last war in the Mons Star and the 1914-15 Star. The King in a message to General Eisenhower said: “The 1939-43 Star will be the reward of those in all my services who have taken part in hard fighting in other theatres of war. “During the long years of the North African campaign, with its fluctuating fortunes, it was my constant hope that I might one day be able to see for myself the scenes of some of the famous; hard fought battles, and still more, those who have taken part in them. My wish has now been gratified and it has been my happy experience to be the bearer of the congratulations of all the peoples of the Empire on a victory which will shine in military history. "Throughout my tour it afforded me intense pleasure to see the hardened men of the three British services, veterans of the Libyan Desert as well as their comrades from the west, in such high spirits and good health and to realise that they are working in the closest harmony, not only with each other, but with the forces of the Allies, both in and out of battle. “Moreover, everything I saw when I was privileged to be the guest of our United States and French Allies, served only to strengthen my confidence in the complete final victory of the United Nations. Heavy tasks still lie before the armies in North Africa, but it is plain to me that nothing will stop the gallant men of the United Nations who have already triumphed over so much, To these men and their skilful commanders I would ask you to express my gratitude for the past and my heartfelt good wishes for the future.”

U.S. AIR LOSSES IN EUROPE (Rec. 10.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, June 27. Major-General Davenport Johnson, commander of the 2nd United States Air Force, stated at Washington that the Germans' had thrown everything they have against the American heavy bombers, but they were unable to inflict any critical losses. American losses in the European theatre had been approximately 6 per cent., which was not too heavy. Major-General Johnson added: "If we can stay under 10 per cent, we can take it.”

HIT BY ALLIED BOMBS EXPERIENCE OF R.A.F. PILOT (Special Australian Corresp., N.Z.P.A.) (Rcc. 10.5 p.m.) LONDON, June 26. The concentration of bombers over targets in Germany is frequently so heavy that aircraft are sometimes hit by a bomb from a bomber above them. This happened twice to Pilot Officer K. Smith. D.F.M., of Auckland, who was recently promoted. He has carried out 31 raids in Stirlings and is now an instructor. While over Wilhelmshaven an incendiary hit the oil tank of his port inner motor and set it on fire. Pilot Officer Smith feathered the motor and dived, putting out the flames. Another time an incendiary went clean through a wing of his bomber, leaving a neat hole but causing no damage. Pilot Officer Smith has raided Berlin, Turin, “all the towns of the Ruhr except Dusseldorf.” He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal on April 4, 2943. ,