GERMAN CITIES BOMBED

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24023, 11 August 1943, Page 3

GERMAN CITIES BOMBED

Ludwigshaven And Mannheim R.A.F. ATTACK IN STRENGTH (N.2 Press Association—Copyright.) (Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON. Aug. 10. The Royal Air Force was again out in strength over Germany last night, making a heavy attack on the important industrial city of Mannheim, on the Rhine, and its sister city, Ludwigshaven, Large fires were observed in both targets. These two cities have a total population of 450,000. They were last bombed on April 16. Ludwigshaven contains the great chemical works of I. G. Farbenindustrie. Mosquitoes attacked objectives in the Ruhr last night, and aircraft of

the Fighter Command were over France and the Low Countries, attacking airfields. Two enemy aircraft were destroyed and the operations cost the Royal Air Force nine bombers.

Six German fighters were shot down over northern France by four New Zealand Spitfire pilots yesterday. The New Zealanders were returning from attacking objectives in northern France when Squadron Leader J. Checketts, of Invercargill, saw 12 Messerschmitts flying in formation below them. He dived to the attack, followed by the other three Spitfires, and after a short engagement, the six remaining German aircraft fled undamaged. All the four Spitfires returned safely. Squadron Leader Checketts bagged three of the six German fighters destroyed, making his total nine since May 30. The D.F.C. has been awarded to Squadron Leader Checketts, commanding officer of the New Zealand Spitfire Squadron, says the special correspondent of the New Zealand Press Association. Squadron Leader Checketts has shot down seven Germans, all within recent months. After a long period as pilot officer lie suddenly leapt to prominence as a firstclass fighter pilot. Wing Commander Alan Deere, D.S.O. and Bar, D.F.C. and Bar, is of the opinion that Squadron Leader Checketts is among the best commanding officers who hatfe led the New Zealand Spitfire Squadron.

For the first time this month German aircraft crossed the British coast, when a single Nazi machine was seen over a south-west coast town. It was met by intense anti-aircraft fire. No damage was done by the raider. The first Canadian-built Mosquitoes have arrived in Britain. They flew the Atlantic piloted by Canadian and Royal Air Force, pilots.. HOSPITAL SHIP SUNK BOMBED OFF SICILY ATTACK BY GERMAN AIRCRAFT (Rec. 12.20 a.m.) LONDON. Aug. 10. The sinking of the British hospital ship Talamba by a German air squadron two miles south of Syracuse, in Sicily, is reported in a delayed dispatch from an Associated Press correspondent aboard a British cruiser. The Talamba went down with nurses, wounded, and crew crying out in the darkness for help. Several ships went alongside for rescue operations, in spite of the continued threat from the air. The Talamba, in compliance with international law, was brilliantly lighted. With two other hospital ships, the Talamba had spent the afternoon unmolested picking up wounded from Sicily, but at 10 p.m. a formation of German aeroplanes flew over and dived straight for the Talamba and released' their bombs. ’ The other hospital ships extinguished them lights when they saw the Talamba’s fate. GERMAN TROOP TRAIN DERAILED ACTION BY GUERRILLAS IN GREECE (Rec. 12.30 a.m.) • LONDON, Aug. 10. According to the Istanbul correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph,” a Greek patriot force derailed a German troop train between Larissa and Athens. One hundred and twenty dead or wounded were taken from the wreckage. The line was blocked for several days.

ing. Railway installations, and enemy troop concentrations in the town were smashed, and streams of enemy armoured vehicles and supply lorries passing through Randazzo were wrecked and set on fire. ‘‘For the sixth day in succession, wave after wave of Allied aeroplanes yesterday continued their ceaseless attacks against Axis forces trying to escape across the Strait of Messina.” says the Algiers correspondent of the British United Press. ‘‘The process of cutting off Sicily is now being carried out night and day. The possibility of the Axis evacuating any large number of its forces is rapidly diminishing. Wellingtons on Sunday night blasted beaches and the strait for over eight hours. Bridges, railways, and troop concentrations were smashed by a continuous rain of bombs. At dawn on Monday large formations of bombers and fighters were again over the straits, attacking enemy forces on the beaches waiting to be taken back to Italy, and Axis ships and landing craft trying to cross the straits were subjected to a hail of cannon fire. “North of Randazzo fighters swooped down on enemy convoys streaming northward. Many lorries packed with troops and also 20 supply vehicles were set on fire. Similar attacks are being carried out along the rest of the front. Allied bombers and fighters are fanning out in great waves over the retreating enemy forces.

‘‘The southern tip of Italy is also being heavily pasted. Aeroplanes are blasting communication and supply lines, and American Lightnings are attacking trains loaded with arms and supplies which are rushing southward to Sicily. They completely wrecked two trains and bombed and strafed sis other trains 25 miles north of Reggio, Marauders wrecked two largo bridge? on main highways and also damaged an important railway bridge." The Rome radio says that 16 Allied divisions are at present in Sicily. It added that Allied warships had again bombarded the Calabrian coast of Italy.