MORE INTENSE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 5, 6 July 1943, Page 5

MORE INTENSE

BATTLES OVER SICILY

44 AXIS PLANES DESTROYED (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) Rec 12.30 p.m. LONDON, July 5. An Algiers communique says that enemy aerodromes in Sicily were heavily attacked yesterday, including those at Catania, Gerbini, Sciacci, Comiso, and Milo. The enemy made determined resistance. The Algiers correspondent of the Columbia Broadcasting System says that air combats over Sicily yesterday, in which we shot down at least 44 enemy planes, were the fiercest since the conclusion of the Tunisian campaign. Practically all types of Allied bombers in the Mediterranean area plastered the Axis defences along the Sicilian coast or delivered smashing blows against key aerodromes. Flying Fortresses which attacked an airfield near Catania met 50 Italian and German fighters, 18 of which were shot down. The Fortresses carried out their attack on the airfield, dropped fragmentation bombs on the runways and dispersal areas, and destroyed a large number of planes on the ground. The Associated Press of Great Britain says that some of the Luftwaffe's most famous squadrons are engaged in the desperate defence of Sicily, but they failed to weaken the Allied offensive. Tremendous flames were started at Comiso, where Mitchells made a joint attack with R.A.F. forces. American Bostons attacking Sciacca airfield were bombed by an umbrella formation of Messerschmitts and were under fire from nearly 30 more Messerschmitts and Macchis. but carried out their bombing run while escorting Warhawks provided a close cover, destroying five Messerschmitts. While Mitchells hit hard against important aerodromes at Garbini and in eastern Sicily, escorting Lightnings shot down six enemy planes. Marauders also attacked Garbini, destroying 15 further enemy planes. , The. total loss of Allied planes for the day was 13. SICILY MAY BE BY-PASSED. Mr. Morley Richards, military writer for-the "Daily Express," says that the neutralisation of Sicily is in sight There is evidence that practically no traffic has crossed the Sicilian Channel from Italy for more than a week. This is the result of consistent Allied bombing of the terminal of ■ the Sicilian Channel rail-ferry. Mr. Richards adds it is by no means certain that the taking of Sicily is in the Allied plan. That might be considered expensive in relation to the island's value. Mr. Richards suggests that it may be bypassed for a direct landing on the Italian mainland. As the air war in the Mediterranean reached its new peak of intensity, Berlin radio announced that all leave for the armed forces in Italy had been cancelled.