CRUISER AND SUPPLY SHIPS HIT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 30 June 1943, Page 5

CRUISER AND SUPPLY SHIPS HIT

CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE ADMITTED ONLY ONE ENEMY FIGHTER ENCOUNTERED (Rec. 11.15 a.m.) London, June 29. The raid against Leghorn was the easiest yet undertaken by Fortresses, says the Exchange Telegraph Agency’s Algiers correspondent. Only one enemy fighter was encountered and it cleared off when tackled. One hundred Fortresses, without loss to themselves, participated in the raid. The entire port was covered with smoke and five hours later the extent of the damage was not able to be ascertained owing to smoke, but it is known that a light cruiser and four supply boats were damaged. Strii of railway track outside the city were blown to pieces. Marauders and Mitchells which bombed airfields in Sardinia met strong opposition from enemy fighters, 11 of which were shot down. To-day’s Italian communique admits considerable damage at Leghorn and says 185 were killed and 354 injured as a result of the Leghorn, Reggio di Calabria and Messina raids.—B.O.W. An Algiers communique states: “Wellingtons on Sunday night bombed Sangiovanni marshalling yards. Flying Fortresses last night in nine minutes’ attack on Leghorn damaged a light cruiser and four supply ships, and also hit a power station and oil storage installations, causing many fires and explosions. Mitchells, escorted by Lightnings, bombed barracks and administrative buildings, hangars and dispersal areas at aerodromes in Sardinia. Marauders, escorted by Lightnings and Warhawks, attacked airfields in Sardinia. We destroyed 12 enemy planes during the day. Two of ours are missing.— P.A.