ALLIED AIR ATTACKS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 26 June 1943, Page 5

ALLIED AIR ATTACKS

SEAPLANE BASE BOMBED NO FIGHTER OPPOSITION London, June 25. Luftwaffe night-fighter squadrons which are part of the defences of the Mediterranean islands, are believed to have been rushed home for the defence of western Germany, says Reuter’s Algiers correspondent. Wellingtons bombing Sardinia on the night of 22nd-23rd June encountered no fighter opposition. Even anti-aircraft fire around the seaplane base and port of Oblia was slight. It was the third successive night Wellingtons struck against a different target. Conditions over Oblia were ideal for bombing. A ship in harbour was set on fire and other fires raged in and near the town. Explosions dotted the seaplane base, landing ground, harbour, mole and military buildings. While Wellingtons were hammering Oblia heavy bombers from the Middle East bases struck the important airfields at Comiso. Two violent explosions were seen. Airfield buildings were directly hit, and two large fires and a number of smaller ones were seen. DEPLOYING MOVEMENTS Berlin radio says deploying movements of attackers and defenders on the Mediterranean front appear to have reached their peak. Italian and German defences from Spain to Crete and Rhodes are the bastion against which even a strong and well-equipped enemy will break his head. The radio adds that the Btitish battleships George V and Howe left Gibraltar for the Mediterranean. —P.A.