ITALY REVISITED

Evening Star, Issue 23657, 17 August 1940, Page 11

ITALY REVISITED

ANOTHER R.A.F. BOMBING RAID

AIRCRAFT FACTORIES AGAIN ATTACKED

DIRECT HITS MADE OH TARGETS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, August 16. (Received August 17, at 10.10 a.m.) An Air Ministry communique states; R.A.P. bombers renewed the attack on Italy last night. The Fiat aero engine factory at Turin and the Caproni aircraft works at Milan were bombed. A blast furnace near Genoa was also hit. The conditions generally were favourable, though some cloud and haze made complete observation difficult when our bombers attacked the Fiat works and the Caprioni aircraft factory last night. Enough was seen, however, to establish the fact that much damage was caused on Tuesday night, and both factories were again accurately bombed, causing fires and explosions. One pilot reported that the visibility was good when be arrived at the Fiat works in bright moonlight, making flares unnecessary. He made several runs over the target, obtaining direct hits through the glass roof of the factory. Fires broke out, followed by explosions. Other aircraft attacked a blast furnace at Genoa. One observer remarked after the completion of the attack: “ The blast furnace was much more blasted when we left.” A Rome communique says the R.A.F. again raided Italian objectives. Antiaircraft guns shot down one plane. Five of the crew were killed and the remainder taken prisoner. The raiders caused no material damage. They came from the direction of Switzerland. ROME’S REPORT ROME, August 16. (Received August 17, at 11 a.m.) An official communique states: “ British planes coming from the direction of Switzerland again raided Northern Italy. Various bombs fell among rural communities in the Merate and Olgiate districts. Two were killed and five injured. Slight material damage was caused at Turin. Anti-aircraft guns shot down one British plane, which crashed in a field at Ceresoledalla. Some of the crew, totalling five, were dead, and the rest were taken prisoner.”

BRITISH FLYING BOAT ARRIVAL AT NEW YORK NEW YORK, August 16. (Received August 17, at 8 a.m.) The flying boat Clare has arrived. BRITISH TANKER SUNK CAPTAIN TAKEN PRISONER LISBON, August 15. (Received' August 17, at 1 p.m.) Fifteen survivors of the tanker British Fame landed at the Azores. A U-boat torpedoed the tanker, which was bound for South America, killing three of the crew and taking the captain prisoner. Two lifeboats, with 35 of the crew, are missing. AMERICAN OBSERVERS HIGH OFFICERS IN BRITAIN WASHINGTON, August 16. (Received August 17, at 9.25 pa.m.) President Roosevelt said the United States army and navy have high officers in Britain at the invitation of the British Government, acting as observers of hostilities. The army’s observers are Major-general Delos Emmons, commander of general headquarters air force, and Brigadier-general George B. Strong, assistant chief of staff in charge of the war plans division. The naval observer is Admiral Chormley. FORMER FRENCH MINISTERS NEW GOVERNMENT'S CHARGES VICHY, August 16. ‘Le Temps ’ published the official accusations against the former Minister of Colonies (M. Mandel), who is alleged to have planned a coup d’etat in Morocco after the French capitulation. M. Mandel is stated to have fled to Casablanca, after which he advised London of his intentions.