R.A.F. OFFENSIVE

Grey River Argus, 12 May 1943, Page 5

R.A.F. OFFENSIVE

Palermo Raid DOCK AND FACTORIES BATTERED.

LONDON. May 9.

The weight of bombs dropped on Palermo was five times that of any other raid in the North African campaign, says a correspondent. Docks and war factories, all concentrated within one square mile, were the target. Fortresses attacked at noon and medium bombers half an hour later. Explosions and fires were visible 50 miles away. The smoke was so dense that reconnaissance aircraft were unable to take pictures an hour later. Shipyards and the Fiat factory were hit. A correspondent who flew with the bombers said that the air was filled with bombs spilling down from the craft. The raiders met with heavy anti-aircraft fire and many Messerschmitts came up to intercept. The correspondent said he saw four of these shot down. He. said that Palermo had received a terrible battering, which would be a warning to the Italian. people of what they could expect now that Africa is in Allied hands. ■ .. There was also a heavy raid on the Italian base of Pantellaria, 50 miles from Cap Bon. More than 100 aircraft took part and they did heavy, damage to landing grounds and installations. „ . Malta’s fighter-bombers yesterday attacked ports in Sicily, bombs ing near a power-station, on industrial buildings, and on a railway station. Bombers last night successfully attacked Marsala, in Sicily. .