TURIN RAIDED

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 August 1943, Page 5

TURIN RAIDED

STIRLINGS BOMB FACTORIES STRONG FIGHTER OPPOSITION LONDON, August 17. Bombers from Britain were over Northern Italy again last night, with the industrial city of Turin as their main objective. Preliminary reports indicate that the bombing was well concentrated. Last night’s raid on Turin was the third this month by home-based bombers. Stirlings made two-thirds of the force and on reaching Turin some were detached from the main force to attack the Mirafleri works, the largest and most modern factory of its tvpe in Italy. The other division of bombers attacked objectives nearer the centre of the city, with the railway station as the chief target. This attack was again made in bright moonlight. The main opposition was by German fighters, which were up in great numbers along the route. The bombing was well concentrated within a confined area and fires soon sprang up, and a great explosion resulted from one of them. DESTRUCTION IN MILAN LONDON, August 17. In all Sunday night’s operations one German fighter was destroyed and 10 bombers and two fighters wore lost by the Royal Air Force. Only one bomber was lost over Milan. A correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says: “All the roads leading from Milan to the Swiss frontier are choked with thousands of refugees. Hundreds are perishing at the wayside from exhaustion or lack of food and water. Hundreds of thousands of refugees from other industrial areas of Northern Italy have joined the exiles from Milan.” The Swiss newspaper “Libera Stampa” has published a story told by a refugee from Milan. “Milan is a'heap of rubble in the centre,” he said. “Only the cathedral is untouched. Nine of every 10 houses are destroyed. Practically ail the big factories are destroyed, including the Pirelli rubber works, the Alfa Romeo car works, and the Breda munition plant. The people are completely demoralised. The fire brigades are unable to cope with the huge fires.” The Rome radio says that Milan is unrecognisable after the Royal Air Force raids. The number of casualties is feared to be high. The Royal Pal.ace is in flames. “The raids have completely shattered the people’s morale,” reports the Milan correspondent of the Swiss newspaper “Die Tat.” “Thousands are trying to leave the city, disorganising all transport. All the city s public services are paralysed and no trains or taxis are running. The mam station is so badly damaged that trains are unable to leave or arrive. The centre of the city is one gigantic ruin There arc fires everywhere, huge clouds of smoke, and always new explosions. '

INFLUX INTO ROME (Rec 10.45 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 17. Following further R.A.F. raids on northern industrial cities, a report from Berne states that the evacuation of the whole of Northern Italy is imminent. The Associated Press correspondent says: Events are moving rapidly towards a climax m Italy. The British United Press correspondent on the Italian frontier declares that. Milan is now a city of dead. All activity appears to have been blotted out. Fresh fires are springing up every hour, and buildings are still crashing across the streets. Defying the Italian Government ban, thousands of refugees from Northern and Southern Italy are pouring into Rome. The influx follows the Italian Government’s attempt to have Rome recognised by the Allies as an open city, exempt from air raids. Some families set up tents in St. Peter’s Square and hundreds of families invaded the Vatican City. Many refugees brought their bedding and furniture and are establishing “homes” on Papal property. The Papal Guards were forced to withdraw before the determined influx. Italian troops and police, who were instructed to halt the refugees outside Romo, were pushed aside and were powerless to halt the crowds. Rome is already overcrowded, and there is a serious food shortage.

FRENCH AIRFIELDS BOMBED LONDON, August 16. Royal Air Force Bostons and American medium bombers were out in force over occupied France tonight. The Bostons attacked a steel plant at Valenciennes. Many hits were scored in the target area. Six Bostons are missing. Typhoons and Spitfires escorted the Bostons and they also formed a defensive screen for"other bombers. To-day's offensive has been described as the biggest of the war, and it reminded the people of Britain of the scenes in the skies when the Germans were flying over in force in 1940 during the Battle of Britain.

Photographs taken during yesterday’s bombing of Nazi fighter aerodromes in France by Flying Fortresses show heavy damage to the targets. At one aerodrome the concentration of bombs was so heavy that, the aerodrome had been rendered practically useless. Direct hits were also scored on hangars, barracks, and administrative buildings, and the main dispersal area was heavily hit. These attacks on German fighter aerodromes are part of the systematic aerial blitz against the Luftwaffe which has been in progress for several weeks.

FOUR BRITISH LOSSES RUGBY, August 17. Fighter Command aircraft, were out on intruder operations over France and the Low Countries. Four aircraft are missing from the night’s operations. . The air offensive across the Channel continued this morning and early this afternoon, with fighters seen going out over the south-east coast in the Folkestone district. Many squadrons of fighters carried out extensive sweeps.

HAMBURG STAGNATION. LONDON, August 16. .The Stockholm radio says: Damage in Hamburg is reported to have resulted in a complete cessation of shipments of iron orc to Germany from Swedish ports. There are many ships waiting in the Kiel Canal. Their entry to Hamburg is prohibiteed. except for those working the centre. ALERT IN~LONDON. LONDON, August 17. A Lew enemy aircraft raided scattered points on the coast of England last night. There was an alert in the London area, but no bombs were reported. It is now known that another enemy aircraft was destroyed near the south coast of England last evening.

An Air Ministry communique states: There was a little enemy activity last night over the Thames estuary./A few bombs were dropped on scattered points on the coast. Damage was done and there were some casualties.