TURIN RAIDED

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 November 1942, Page 5

TURIN RAIDED

HEAVY DAMAGE INFLICTED NO BRITISH LOSS LONDON, November 19. British home-based bombers were over north Italy again last night. They attacked Turin, which is the site of the Italian Royal Arsenal, and a very important centre of war industry. Among the industries of Turin are the Fiat works, a branch of the Caproni aircraft works, and the Lancia transport works. Turin is also the centre of the Italian clothing industry. It was last bombed on October 23, at the beginning of the present air offensive against northern Italy. • LATER.

None of our aircraft is missing from last night’s attack on the Fiat works and other targets at Turin, says the Air Ministry. The sky over north Italy was clear, and the crews report good results. Turin has now been bombed 20 times, the last time by home based bombers on the night of October 23. Italy has now been bombed 34 times,' including nine since the. present offensive opened. Last night’s raid was the fourth made without loss. The Fiat works cover 25,000 acres and employ 50,000 workers. An Italian communique dealing with the R.A.F.’s raid on Turin last night says considerable clamage was done to civilian buildings. Fires were soon controlled. Twenty-four people were killed and 52 injured .

LINES OF DEVASTATION.

RUGBY, November 19

Bright moonlight and' great numbers of flares floodlit Turin last night, says the Air Ministry News Service. There was so much light and the visibility was so good, that some of our bombers flew over the city almost in formation. At one time, seven Halifaxes were flying nearly wingtip, to wingtip. They bombed within a few seconds of each other, and left , lines of fire and devastating explosions. “It was even brighter than at Genoa the night before,” said a Halifax pilot. “All the streets and bridges stood out clearly. I saw fires increase very rapidly. There was plenty of flak at the beginning of the attack, but it all died clown towards the end.” Bombs were seen to burst in the Turin marshalling yard and on factories. One Lancaster pilot said the buildings went up like mushrooms. A pall of smoke hung over one half of the town. Many 4000 pound bombs were dropped. Some of theni were seen to hit the Fiat aero engine factory.

WEEPS

RUGBY. November 19. It is officially stated that R.A.F. [Waters carried out many offensive natrois. to-day, ranging from Normandy to Holland. A number of railway engines, goods trains, barges, lorries, and a small supply ship were attacked and damaged. The Air Ministry announces that Iwo enemy aircraft were destroyed during the many offensive patrols over enemy-occupied Europe. Two of our fighters are missing. CONVOY SAFEGUARDING. RUGBY, November 19. To guard the great armada which carried troops and freight io North Africa, the Coastal Command of the R.A.F. flew Sunderlands, Hudsons, Liberators and reinforcements of Halifaxes from the Bomber Command, a mileage equivalent to more than 50 times round the world. More than 1500 hours were spent escorting convoys from our southern seaboard, and 3000 on a direct offensive In U-boat hunting. If to this total is added the record of the Gibraltar unit, the total becomes approximately 8000 flying hours.

U.S.A. LEADERS

WASHINGTON, November 19

Mr. Stimson hoped that Capt. Rickenbacker would be able to continue his survey mission in the Southwest Pacific, after his recovery. Meantime, Mr. Stimson, is not worrying Rickenbacker with questions, relying on him to tell his own story of the rescue at Rickenbacker’s convenience. “Obviously, the identity ol the isle and the base where Rickenbacker was taken is undisclosable. We don’t want the Japanese to capture him after escaping Neptune. Mr. Stimson announced the assignment, of Major-General Henry Miller Air Service Commander, to head of the Air Service Command, European theatre succeeding Major-Gen-eral Walter Frank, who is taking over Miller’s commancl in this country. This exchange is intended to make available to the headquarters of the Army Air Forces, the experience ol a 'commander fresh from the combat zone, and give another the opportunity to gain combat experience.

KING INSPECTS FACTORY.

■ RUGBY, November 19. The King and Queen concluded a two-day tour of Manchester .and Liverpool this afternoon. One of. the most interesting of their visits was to a huge aircraft factory outside Manchester, where they saw dozens and dozens of four-engined Lancaster bombers in various stages of construction. On a flying field outside, Their Majesties saw Lancasters about to set off for R.A.F. stations, 'the King enquired of two shop stewards what the relations with the managein ent were like, and was informed that all the disputes were able to oe settled inside the factory. The production figures, the men added, arc steadily rising. SCOTT'S RAPID PROMOTION. (N.Z.I’.A. Special Correspondent)

(Rec. Noon). LONDON, Nov. 18. The King recently decorated the following at Buckingham Palace-. D.S.O. and D.F.C.. Group Captain Andrew McKee. Canterbury. D.F.C. and Bar Squadron Leader Desmond Scott. Grevmouth; Flying Officer Timotny Williams, Hastings. George Medal and Bar, Lieutenant Dudley Reid, R.A.N.V.R., Wellington. D.F.C.. Wing Commander Camille Malfrqy, Wellington: Pilot Officer James Climie, Wellington: Squadron. Deader John D’sdale. Canterbury; Flight Lieutenant Lyndon Griffith. Levin; Flight Lieutenant Denis Miller, Auckland. Scott has been promoted to Squadron Leader from Sergeant, in nine months.

PROMOTIONS IN AIR FORCE

WELLINGTON. November 19

Sauadron Leader R. B. Bannerman, D.F.C., has been appointed Air Force member for personnel on the Air Board, with the temporary rank of wing commander (acting-group captain).

To-night's Gazette also announces the promotion of Squadron Leader Trevor Owen Freeman, D. 5.0., D F.C., to acting wing commander, and of Flight Lieutenants Frederick John Lucas. D.F.C.. and Wilfred Maurice Chalk Williams, D.F.C., to acting-squadron leaders. Wing Commander Alexander John McKay Manson, M.C., is to be an acting-group captain. Squadron Leaders Eric Maple Lewis and Alfred John Turner 1 are to be wing commanders (temp.). The appointment of Mrs. Frances Ida Kain as wing officer, New Zealand Women’s Auxiliary Air Force, is also gazetted.