ATTACK ON TURIN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 July 1943, Page 3

ATTACK ON TURIN

MADE BV R.A.F. BOMBERS BASED IN BRITAIN AFRICAN AIRCRAFT STRIKE AT SICILY. AND ITALIAN MAINLAND. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, July 13. Heavy bombers of the Royal Air Force based in Britain last night took a hand in the Mediterranean battle. It is officially announced that a heavy force bombed Turin, northern Italy. The outward distance to Turin was 700 miles, but a round trip of 2,000 miles was made, as the bombers returned by another route. Thirteen of the aircraft are missing. Heavy bombers of both the North African and Middle East Commands yesterday attacked Reggio di Calabra and San Giovanni, on the Italian mainland opposite Sicily. Intensive operations over Sicily were continued. DEFENCES WEAK R.A.F. BLOW HEAVIEST TO DATE. AT ANY TARGET IN ITALY. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.20 a.m.) RUGBY, July 13. Last night’s attack on objectives in Turin by Lancasters of the Bomber Command was the heaviest yet made on any target in Italy from bases in England, the Air Ministry news service states. As.the main centre of the Fiat armament industries, Turin has often been attacked from England, but last night the Bomber Command attacked it as a railway centre through which supplies pass south from France and Germany. Though most of the journey to Turin and back was flown in stormy and difficult weather, there was a clear sky over the target belt. Reports agree that the bombing was both concentrated and effective. The defences were weak and seemed especially so to crews who had recently been over the Ruhr.