MEDITERRANEAN AREA

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 May 1943, Page 5

MEDITERRANEAN AREA

AXIS CONVOY BOMBED

MORE RAIDS ON ITALY

RUGBY, May 21. An R.A.F. communique issued in Malta states: Last night naval aircraft attacked a convoy between Pantalario and the Marettimo. Four direct hits were obtained on a motor vessel which burst into flames. Long-range fighters attacked and blew up a train in Southern Italy, and a JUS2 was shot down in the sea ofl Rizzo. . * Last night our Intruders scored hits <on motor vessels south-west of Cape Granitola, western Sicily, an escorting boat being set on fire. Fighters and bombers attacked comiso, fires being started in the aerodrome area.

SARDINIA AND SICILY

LONDON, May 21. The seaplane base at Cagliari, m Sardinia, was raided by Royal Air Force bombers yesterday, and other important airfields were also attacked. Not a single airfield of any note in Sardinia has escaped the weight of Allied bombs. When the bombers were over Cagliari 30 enemy fighters attempted to interfere. Ihe escorting Allied fighters shot down six and the bombers accounted lor another. , , , By far the most spectacular and heavy enemy fighter attack for some time was made over Sicily when Flying Fortresses, escorted by Lightnings. were on their way back irojn a raid on North-west Sicily. I'iity enemy fighters intercepted, and a terrific air battle was crowded mto 20 minutes, the combats ranging from just above sea level to over .24,000 feet. The Flying Fortresses gave an excellent account of themselves, shooting down 10 fighters, and the Lightnings damaged three more. A correspondent says that this is the first time that Axis aircraft have put up any opposition since the Luftwaffe was shot out of the sky m Tunisia. . , Reconnaissance aircraft report mat at one of the aerodromes raided + here were 50 enemy machines on the ground, and 27 of them were- destroyed in the raid.

119 FURTHER LOSSES

The 8.8. C. at midday announced that a further 119 enemy planes had been destroyed by raids in the Mediterranean area.

NAPLES’ PLIGHT

(Rec. 10.30 a.m.) BERNE, May 21. The Milan newspaper “Corriere Delia Sera” describes Naples as a city of the dead. “Herded people, garbed in mourning, resemble a silent procession. Ail one sees mile after mile is smashed buildings, paneless windows. and darkened, burned frames. It is a voiceless city, wheicin only pale people are turning faces to the sky.”

RAID ON MALTA

RUGBY, May 21

For the first time since last December, bombs were dropped on Malta to-day, in an early morning raid. A supplementary communique slates that about 36 FW 109 fighter bombers with an escort ol ME 109 s took part. Our fighters intercepted the raiders before they reached the coast and broke up the formations. A few bombs were dropped on the island causing very slight casualties. Two FW 109’s were shot down by our fighters, and several FW 190’s and ME 190’s were damaged.

MADRAS CELEBRATION

RUGBY, May 21. An impressive procession ol all three Services was held this morniiw in celebration of Tunisia Day, states a Madras message. Huge numbers of tanks and men gave the public an idea of Allied armed strength. The Governor ol Madras, Sir Arthur Hope, took the salute, and addressed a large public meeting.

AXIS CLAIMS

LONDON, May 20. The Berlin radio has claimed that British losses in the whole of tne North African campaign were more than 50,000 killed, including seven generals. The radio says that 120,000 were taken prisoner, including 1« generals. It also claims that /33< tanks were captured by the Axis

MANY ARRESTS

LONDON, May 20., The Algiers radio says that the Allied authorities in North Africa are still searching for traitors, Axis collaborators, and enemy agents. More than 1000 such persons are reported to have been arrested in Tunisia so far.

MINELAYERS’ SUCCESSES

RUGBY, May 21. The Admiralty states: “As a result of the Allied occupation of Tunisia, it has been fciind possible to assess the results achieved by mine-layers of the Fleet in augmenting the eifortsiof our other surface, submarine and air forces in disrupting the Axis line of supply. . . From evidence now available, it is probable that 20. to 40 enemy warships, supply ships and auxiliaries have been sunk or severely damaged by our mines. It is seldom information is forthcoming about the results of specific series of offensive minelaying operations, and even in this instance it is probable further damage was, in fact, inflicted on the enemy. These hazardous operations which contributed materially to the success of the Tunisian campaign were carried out by His Majesty's minelayers, under Captain W. H. D. Frisdberger, Captain R. K. Dickson, Captain D. Orr-Ewing, Lieut.-Com-mander L. W. Napier, Lieut. D. Merw, and Lieut. D. Jermain. Material assistance was rendered by LieutCommander J. Kremer, of the United States Navy, in charge of a party of United States naval ratings.