HEAVILY BOMBED

Evening Star, Issue 24917, 15 July 1943, Page 5

HEAVILY BOMBED

ITALIAN MAINLAND AERODROMES (Rec. 10 a.m.) RUGBY, July 14. Middle East Liberators of the Ninth American air force smashed at Crotone and Yibo Valienta aerodromes in Calabria on the Italian mainland in ■ daylight yesterday. • Nearly 200 tons of high explosive bombs, were dropped, causing great damage. At Vibo Valienta hits were observed on three hangars, which were left unserviceable. Other direct hits wore seen amon<* administrative buildings and munition storage sheds, which exploded. Transport planes were seen blazing. One enemy aircraft was seen to burst as it landed. Several oil fires were also started. Great columns of black smoke rose from the aerodromes as the American bombers turned homewards.

At Crotone two waves of attacking bombers covered the target area, the bursts starting many oil fires and causing explosions. A number of aircraft were set on fire by incendiaries dropped in the dispersal areas. Sixteen fires were observed in one section. The large fires burning could be seen by the bombers over Vibo Valienta.

The Liberators met no enemy fighters, All the aircraft returned.