TERRIFIC TOLL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21064, 8 April 1943, Page 3

TERRIFIC TOLL

ALLIED AIR ‘BLITZ’ ENEMY "BLASTED mediterranean area OVER lot) PLANES LOST (By Telegraph—-Press Assn.—Copyright.) LONDON, April (>. Italy and Germany are now getting a foretaste of the tremendous aerial bombardment of which the Allied leaders warned them. The Allies, especially the British, are at last seeing the fulfilment of the promises of a wholesale blasting of the Axis countries which were made in the days when the Luftwaffe, except for British fighters, dominated the skies and even the Italians came west expecting to enjoy the bombing of London. Now, while British - based British and American bombers and fighters in the round-the-clock offensive are plastering an ever-growing list of German industrial and transport targets and U-boat construction depots and bases, American Flying Fortresses have struck the first blows against Italy from airfields in north-west Africa, further developing the Royal Air Force offensive from Malta and other air bases. The British and American air forces are thus converging against the European strongholds for the forthcoming terrific blitz, which every nerve has been strained to inaugurate and maintain and in which they are challenging the Luftwaffe to a decisive combat intended to “soften” the enemy as a prelude to an eventual counter-stroke by land. Luftwaffe’s Worst Day The British and Americans are not only attacking Italian ports and vital sea communication lines essential for supplying Tunisia, but are also striking heavily against the Luftwaffe, which despatches from Allied headquarters in North Africa emphasise bad yesterday the worst day since the Battle of Britain. Luftwaffe planes on the ground were blasted when nearly 300 were caught on aerodromes in Tunisia and Sicily and scores were left smoking and shattered after incessant day-long attacks. Luftwaffe transport planes—sitting, birds for modern fighters—were shot down in the Mediterranean, leaving a trail of blazing pools. Luftwaffe machines were also blasted over Tunisia. It is conservatively estimated that the Axis lost at least 100 planes—possibly many more—in 24 hours, compared with 186 on the famous Sunday over Britain in September, 1940.

An amazing number of Axis planes were discovered parked on three Sicilian aerodromes, 100 at Bocado Di Falcc, 80 large planes at Mino, and 100 fighters, transports and bombers at Borizzo, suggesting that General von Kesselring, the Axis air chief in the Mediterranean, had carried out a major concentration designed to offset the Allied air superiority in the coming battle for Tunisia. A concentration of 100 aircraft at one airfield within Allied bomber range is very contrary to German custom. However, they were made at aerodromes which are not usually used as large bases and General von Kesselring probably banked on their escaping Allied reconnaissance. Few Enemy Fighters A British United Press correspondent at Allied headquarters states that the Luftwaffe, already extended in the Mediterranean, cannot stand such losses. The Germans are trying to lie low ancl build up strength, but henceforth must come up fighting, [f they stay on the ground they will be smashed. It is remarkable that so few lighters are apparently available for incredibly vital points. Flying Fortresses dropped stick after stick of bombs, straddling 50 to 70 aircraft at Bocado di Falco. The pilots are confident that they put out of action a large number of planes. Buildings were also hit and were seen burning when the Fortresses, were GO miles away returning to their base. Enemy fighters, without avail, tried to intercept the Fortresses. Two German and one Italian fighters were shot down.

Mitchells, escorted by Lightnings, ire-enacted the scene at Borizzo, bombs falling among rows of grounded aircraft and aerodrome buildings. Six German ancl two Italian fighters were shot down when they came up. More Fortresses attacked Mino, where the pilots reported that at least 30 Axis planes were destroyed. Commenting on the possibility of greater damage, the British United Press correspondent says that nothing is harder to estimate than the damage done to aircraft on the ground, as a shell fragment tearing a vital spot might be as effective as if the plane was burning or had a wing blown oil. Scores of Axis aircraft were found thus put out of action in Libya during the Eighth Army’s advance. 18 Transports Downed

The shooting down of 18 Junkers transports was the most spectacular combat of the Tunisia air war. Lightnings were patrolling when they) spotted a strongly-escorted formation 45 miles from the coast. Twenty-live minutes later there were 18 darning patches in the water. The explosions suggested that the transports were flying petrol-tankers taking fuel to Tunisia for the Luftwaffe.

Lightnings, which shot down six Stukas and seven fighters of the transports’ escort, had a full day. They escorted the Mitchells which caught the Axis sea convoy in the Sicilian Straits. Bombers, diving through intense ack-ack fire, sank a destroyer and set fire to three supply ;hips and two barges. The Allied air forces, flying u record number of 1000 sorties in the daytime, also intensively attacked the I Tunisian airfields of La Sauconniere, El Djem, Sidi Ahmed and El Ouma, shooting down 18 fighters. The Allied losses were only 12. These encouraging results were achieved m addition to raids on Sfax and Palermo, which were much damaged.

Commenting on General Eisenhower’s communique, which for the first time mentions the strategic and tactical air forces, the Daily Express’ military writer says that the longterm strategy is a softening-up process preparatory to an Allied attack against the mainland. That is why the Sicilian airfields have been paid deadly attention. For an invasion of southern Europe, air superiority is insufficient; it is essential to secure air mastery, which is why we are trying to break up the Italian airfields and keep deep in the rear of Tunisia.