NEW PHASE OPENED
AIR ATTACK ON SOFIA BASES IN ITALY USED LONDON, Nov. 15. The air attack on Sofia on Sunday opens a new phase in the Balkan offensive, and shows how new bases in Italy can extend the bombing range of Allied air forces. Mitchell bombers, escorted by Lightnings, swept over Sofia railway yards in two big formations. They dropped tons of high explosives on the railway station, which was the main target, and on repair shops and assembly shops, and ripped up lines in the yard. It is difficult to over-emphasise the importance of Sofia in Hitler’s Balkan railway system. It is the most vital railway centre for the Eastern Balkans, and it is the centre for supplies for Greece, the 2Egean Islands,, and the Western Balkans.
Following the raid and an inspection of the damage caused, the Bulgarian Cabinet held an emergency meeting to discuss what steps should be taketn in the light of the new developments. The Ankara radio, quoting a message from Sofia, said that about 130 bombers participated in the raid and dropped about 200 bombs. Delayedaction bombs were still exploding in the outskirts of the city late in the afternoon. A number of buildings were damaged, but the casualties were comparatively light. Sofia is calm.
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Bibliographic details
Otago Daily Times, Issue 25385, 17 November 1943, Page 3
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212NEW PHASE OPENED Otago Daily Times, Issue 25385, 17 November 1943, Page 3
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