Communications At Naples Almost Severed

Northern Advocate, 23 August 1943, Page 3

Communications At Naples Almost Severed

(E.0.W.. 2 p.m.) RUGBY. Aug. 22. The Mediterranean air forces yesterday continued to hammer Southern Italy’s much battered railway system. Targets were four of the most vital centres of the net-work around Naples. Marauders bombed a point where the electric railway splits up to form a loop round Naples. Fortresses went for a place in the middle of the loop and the junction on lines running across the country. Liberators struck at a place on the opposite side of the loop and, by night. Wellingtons attacked an important junction south of Naples. All four attacks were very successful. Railway yards were covered with bombs and direct hits were seen on stations, (warehouses, factories and railway track and a great many fires were started. Military authorities at Allied headquarters believe that damage was very severe and should be as permanent as could be obtained. 25 Enemy Planes Downed Extremely bitter opposition was encountered by Marauders which, with fighter escoi’t, destroyed 25 enemy fighters, more than half of the force which intercepted them. ' A second big battle occurred when about 70 Middle East Liberators attacked their target. They met successive waves of German fighters, destroying at least. 25 with 12 probably destroyed. All yesterday’s operations cost us eight bombers. Earlier Raid As a result of Allied air attacks in the past few days, railways connecting Naples with other parts of Italy are almost completely paralysed.; South and east, railways from Naples were cut as a result of yesterday's 'attacks against Villa Literno and Aversa. Particularly heavy pounding has been carried out against communications with the important Foggia air base. A Cairo report says that 70 U.S.A.A.F. Liberators carried out a raid on Cancello and dropped more than 140 tons of bombs. Liberators also attacked Pomigliano and Darce aerodrome, near Naples. An Italian communique states that enemy planes dropped leaflets and flares over Rome yesterday. Defences did not go into action pwing to measures about to be adopted to make Rome an open city.