Terrific Blitz From Sea And Air

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 221, 17 September 1943, Page 5

Terrific Blitz From Sea And Air

LONDON, Sept. 15. The Daily Express correspondent aboard a cruiser says that for six days the Navy alone had been bombarding the shore at Salerno, but yesterday came a new roar over the shell-splashea bay from waves of Fortresses, Mitchells and Bostons. The surrender of the Italian fleet recleased more of our ships, and so yesterday we doubled the number of bigger ships in the bay and fired as never before, putting about 40,0001 b. of shells into the area. The last 200 rounds were most spectacular. Every man-jack was called out. Bare-chested stokers joinea the marines in man-handling the 1001 b. shells in a temperature around 110 degrees. With the shells lined up we were able to tire 25 broadsides from eight guns in six minutes at tho exact moment asked for by the Army. In that time 20,0001 b. of shells screamed over 6000 feet into the hills of tho Amalfa positions, which lie nearest the Isle oi Capri. A military spokesman in Algiers described the Allied bombing of the Axis forces at Salerno as equalling the concentrated pounding of Panteliaria. The Press Association’s diplomatic correspondent reports that Britain ana Spain are negotiating regarding the disposal of tho seven Italian warships which escaped from Spezia and put into port in the Balearic Islands at the conclusion of the Italian armistice.

The Italian submarines which have fallen into Allied hands are expectea to reveal many important Nazi U-boat secrets. Improvements devised by German mechanicians include modification in radio-location gear, submarine motor developments, automatic torpedo-direct-ing apparatus, and protection against charges. In addition, the Italian ’■- e personnel may supply vital

ion about the German submarine strength and the effect of Allied

bombings on submarine buildings and bases. A Colombo message says that the Italian naval escort vessel Eritrea (2200 tons) entered Colombo harbour flying the black flag of surrender. She escaped from Massawa (Eritrea), in February, 1941, in order to avoid capture, but where she has been since is a complete mystery.