SUPPLY LINES TO SICILY

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24020, 7 August 1943, Page 5

SUPPLY LINES TO SICILY

HEAVY ATTACKS BY ALLIED BOMBERS MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TO LAND VICTORIES (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 9 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 6. The admission by the Rome radio that the Allied air raid on ‘Naples on Wednesday was “the heaviest and most terrific of the 96 terror raids against Naples” has again focused attention on the major part the Allied air forces are playing in the successful operations in Sicily. Reuter’s correspondent at Allied headquarters says: “The alteration in the strategy of the Allied air forces’ operation from North Africa and new-ly-won bases in Sicily has hastened and accentuated the crumpling of enemy resistance. Allied bombers, halting for •ft moment in their prodigious battering of Axis aerodromes on the Italian mainland, concentrated on Tuesday night and in daylight on Wednesday against the slim strands of steel rail on which the Germans are depending for supplies. “Wellingtons, Marauders, and Mitchells attacked Catanzaro and Paolo, both of which are vital junctions on the railways leading to the Sicilian ferry terminus of Reggio. These railways have been carrying supplies for the Germans in Sicily ever since Allied airmen destroyed the railway yards at Naples. “Wellingtons on Wednesday night again pounded the raißvay installations at Messina, and also heavily attacked Battipaglia, where the Italian electric and coastal railways meet. 42 miles south-east of Naples. Fortresses again raided Naples in daylight on Wednesday, concentrating mainly against the docks and the submarine base.” An Italian communique says that the enemy strongly bombed the centre of Naples. Numerous buildings were demolished, and 159 persons were killed and 228 injured. . “The North-west African Air Forces throughout yesterday maintained heavy attacks against the enemy in Sicily,” reports an air communique issued in Algiers yestefday. “Light and medium bombers attacked supply dumps and road communications, and fighter-bombers attacked motor transport, destroying and damaging many vehicles. On Tuesday night light bombers attacked railway communications at Catanzaro and Paolo, and medium bombers continued the attack in daylight. On Wednesday Flying Fortresses attacked the docks and submarine base of Naples. The target area was well covered with bombs. A number of enemy aeroplanes were encountered, 11 of which were destroyed. Five enemy aeroplanes were destroyed on Tuesday night. Heavy bombers, some of them carrying 40001b bombs, oi Wednesday night attacked Messina and railway communications at Battipaglia. Nine of our aircraft are missinging from all these operations. ”