VIOLENT ALLIED AIR ASSAULT

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23998, 13 July 1943, Page 5

VIOLENT ALLIED AIR ASSAULT

Sweeps Over Sicily AIRPORTS BOMBED IN ITALY (Rec. 1 a.in.) LONDON, July 12. “Enemy troops were violently attacked yesterday, during a day marked by the intensive activity of our fighter-bombers,” says today's air communique from North African Headquarters. “Many vehicles were destroyed. "Heavy bombers attacked important communications centres in Catania, medium bombers raided aerodromes, and fighters patrolled against enemy ground forces in the invaded sectors. Forty-five Axis aeroplanes were shot down during the day. Nine of ours are missing.” A Middle East air communique says: “United States Army Air Force Liberators in daylight yesterday attacked the aerodromes at Reggio and Vibo Valentia, in the toe of Italy. Three large fires were started. Many aircraft on the ground wore set on fire at Reggio. Hangars were set on fire and administration buildings damaged at Vibo Valentia. Two Mcsscrschmitt 10!3's were destroyed. “Royal Air Force light bombers attacked Messerschmitl lOD’s south-west of Crete, and shot one down in tlames. All our aircraft returned from these and other operations.” . Reuter’s correspondent in Algiers says that big formations-of all types of aircraft from the North-west African Air Force roared over south-eastern Sicily all day on Saturday, delivered knock-out blows against airfields, and bombed and strafed railroads and troop transports. The newest deadly A3ti fighter-bombers carried out more than 100 sorties and bombed and machinegunned positions behind the enemy lines. They also operated directly in front of the Allied front lines. Anti-aircraft fire was mostly negligible, but during the afternoon it became more intense and more aceuiate. Bombers, without opposition, ranged over central and southern Sicily every hour from 5 a.m. Lightnings sweeping over south-eastern Sicily caught a column of 99 trucks on the road: A number were destroyed and crews were shot as they leaped from their trucks. Spitfire night fighters from Malta helped to form the air umbrella over the Allied landings on Sicily's beaches. Malta-based Mosquitoes in the meantime watched Italian aerodromes loi signs of the enemy attempting to send bombers to Sicily. The Mosquitoes found only one Italian aerodrome illuminated, but after their approach the lights were switched off, and stayed off. , . A 1 . Reuter’s correspondent in Algiers says that vivid reports are being brought back by Allied pilots, who have a bird’s-eye view of the fighting and also of fires and the ceaseless shuttling of landing barges, as they fly over the island attacking enemy targets or providing an air umbrella for the landing forces. An American lieutenant told the correspondent: “Allied troops are swarming ashore pushing into the hills and to strategic roads in the south-eastern corner of the island. From the way it is going, the attack should progress like a forest fire.” Another pilot said: “The boys already seem to have the situation well in hand. There are numerous fires."