Air Bombings Affecting Italians

Northern Advocate, 21 November 1941, Page 8

Air Bombings Affecting Italians

LONDON, November 20,

The Royal Air Force raids on Italy are seriously affecting the morale of the workers, who are nervous and are suffering from lack of sleep. They often refuse to return to work after bombings. This was reported to the Ankara correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” by a neutral traveller who has just returned from Italy. The traveller said an expert had estimated that in raided towns the production was only 60 per cent, of normal. The manufacture of aircraft and shipbuilding had ceased. The convoys recently attacked were the first for some time to attempt to break the blockade. Most of the German troops in Italy had been sent to Russia, and only German planes were left in Sicily. Riots in Sicily The traveller confirmed that there had been rioting in Sicily and said that inscriptions such as: “Make terms with Britain,” were every night chalked on walls. The destruction of the Naples torpedo factory had reduced the Italian navy's torpedo potential by half. Small industries were disappearing, and only the Breda, Ansaldo and Fiat works were producing anything worthwhile. Rebuilding and repairs were difficult because of lack of iron and cement. In spite of the risk of heavy punishment, the traveller added, people listened to the 8.8. C. The Government had considered the prohibition of possession of radio sets, but dropped the proposal for fear of the people's reaction.