AMERICAN AIR RAID

Grey River Argus, 27 March 1943, Page 5

AMERICAN AIR RAID

RUGBY, March 2b. Liberators attacked Messina and Sicily in daylight yesterday, says a Cairo message. Direct hits were observed on the target area. Railroad yards were left in Hames and other fires were observed in the vicinity of naval oil and storage tanks. Large fires were observed on a ferry terminal. An American formation was attacked by Messerschmitts, one of which was destroyed and another probably destroyed. All the United States aircraft returned safely. The operation was described as one of the most successful of the wax- on a big Axis port.

London Comments ENEMY FULLY OCCUPIPED BUT TOUGH FIGHTING EXPECTED LONDON, March 25. The “Daily Telegrap’s” war correspondent at Allied Headquarters ex-' presses the opifiion that the battle is developing according to General Alexander’s plan. “The enemy is being forced to use his. armour to plug four danger spots —on ( the the coast -near Mareth, inland in the neighbourhood of El Hamma, on the Gaoes-Gafsa road, and in the Maknassi area. I‘nat means, it is going to be extremely difficult for Rommel to concentrate Tor a full-scale blow against any, one of these sectors. “The Times” points out that tne first impression that a victory foundation was laid, may still prove to be well-founded, but it looks as though .the light will be more furious and 'more stubborn than first reports indicated. “The Times” says: The Allied forces have taken on a’ stiff task and the greater part still lies before TTiem. The enemy ’is still making the most of his interior lines and has struck with all his power at the most dangerous of his opponents —in this case the force which penetrated the defences of the Mareth Line. Even in the course of the almost universally favourable battle ol' El Alamein our forces suffered a tew local reverses and though the present setback appears heavier than any then encountered there is ho reason to suppose- it will not be found equally remediable. In the long run a light to a finish would be preferable for the Allies. This may not be the last check to be suffered by them before their plans are carried through to )?. victorious conclusion, but it does not rob them of their superior position and it has not deprived them of the initiative. The most Objective examination fails to weaken the view that ever since the Eighth Army effected its concentration in front of the Mareth Line the strategic advantages have lain with the Allies. The “Daily Telegraph” ' estimates that Rommel can deploy, the bulk or two armoured divisions and ■ that neither his daring skill nor the fighting quality of his troops snffws any ' sign of decay. ' 'I

Mr Churchill’s statement that Ronimell had re-established his Mareth bridgehead came as a cold douche to the British public after a general impression had been gained that the foundation of victory had been laid.

AIRMEN’S BAG LONDON, March 25. The British United Press correspondent at an advanced R.A.r. aerodrome. in a delayed message from Tunisia, says Squadron Leader Coim Gray, of Gisborne, shot down a Macchi in ah air bdttle over Bizerta. His friend, Flying Officer David Booth, of Surrey, got his first victory in the same battle, when he shot down, a Messerschmitt 109. Both enemy planes . crashed in Dake Bizerta, while 22 Flying Fortresses bombed the port. Gray said: “We surprised them trying to make up their minds whether to attack the Fortresses over Bizerta. One Of our fighters went after tour Messerschmitts. I saw a Macchi down below and dived on him. I- saw three cannon shells hit near the cockpit and he started to spiral down. I thought I would never be able to claim this one, but suddenly the Macchi flamed up and dived into the lake.” They showed me the squadron’s ne\y chicken coop, also a washroom built from petrol tins. A deep dugout lined with petrol tins was. ■ the chief felature of the squadron’s “ready” tent. Its seating arrangements were really novel and comprised a dozen tip-up seats from a cinema somewhere in the rear.

VISIT OF CHINESE OFFICERS. (Rec. 12.45.) LONDON, March 26. Four hio-h officers of the . Chinese army have arrived at Cairo . They will visit the North African front. GIRAUD’S NEW SECRETARY GENERAL. LONDON, March 26. Algiers radio stated: General Giraud has' appointed M. Maurice Couve Demurville as his Secretary-General, in succession to General Bergeret. M. Demurville is only t'hirty-six years of age. He recently escaped from France to join General De Gaulle. He is reputed to be a brilliant civil servant. He has never engaged in politics. He had charge of French International financial negotiations before the war. He retained his position after the armistice, when he was responsible, for finance negotiations with Germany .