Raids By Allied Aircraft

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23962, 1 June 1943, Page 5

Raids By Allied Aircraft

strong forces employed (S.z. Press Association— Copyright) Utec. 11-10 p.m.l LONDON, May 31. Allied aircraft In the Mediterranean area yesterday made heavy attacks on the Italian mainland. Their targets were Naples and Foggia> 78 miles to the north-east. The raid on Foggia was made by a strong force of United States Lavv bombers. They hit aircraft on the ground, set fire to fuel dumps, and smashed hangars and administrative buildings. All the American aircraft returned. A large force of Flying Fortresses went to Naples, They attacked an aircraft factory and a neighbouring airfield. Large explosions were caused. Oil storage dumps were hit, and many fires broke out. On Saturday night Pantelleria was again attacked by Wellingtons, and yesterday medium bombers and fighter, bombers raided Pantelleria and Sardl”'The American forces which struck new and massive hammer blows at Sardinia and Pantelleria on Friday did not encounter fighter opposition,” says

“Enemy fighter opposition appears completely to have broken down for the second time since the blitz began against the islands of the Mediterranean. Axis fighters early last week reappeared, as many as 50 at a time, but now they have vanished again.” Shortly after midnight on Saturday there were two alerts at Malta. During the second one enemy aeroplane crossed the coast and dropped a few incendiaries near an airfield. They caused no damage. Yesterday morning about 18 enemy aircraft approached the island, but were turned back when they were 20 miles from the Grand Harbour.

MR CHURCHILL’S MOVEMENTS

AXIS RADIO REPORTS (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, May 30. Axis radio stations report that Mr Churchill has been at Gibraltar for the last few days where he has seen General Eisenhower, General Sir Harold Alexander, General Sir Bernard Montgomery, General Giraud, and General Catroux. The Berlin radio, quoting a report from La Linea, said there were indications that Mr Churchill had left Gibraltar for Algiers. The purpose o£ his visit to Algiers would probably be to attend the meeting of General Giraud and General de Gaulle to exert his personal influence if necessary. The Berlin radio stated that Mr Churchill arrived at Gibraltar by air on Thursday evening from Washington and immediately conferred with Generals Eisenhower, Alexander, Montgomery, Giraud. and Catroux, “It is certain that the conference dealt with the problems of further military operations and spheres of British and American interests in North Africa,” said the radio.

K.Z. BEAUFIGHTER PILOTS

SHOOTING UP TRAINS AND SHIPPING (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 1 a.m.) LONDON. May 31, The New Zealand Beauughter Squadron, in addition to patrolling as night fighters and training American airmen, is also detaching aircraft for night intruding over France to attack German transport. Its score of locomotives and trains shot up and damaged now totals 29. During recent moon periods, a section of three Beaufighters had been attached to another station for this Intruding. The most successful pilot so far has been an Aucklander, G. F. Heed, who was recently promoted to pilot officer. He has accounted for 13 trains. F. W. Davison (Timaru), who has risen from flying officer to squadron leader in five weeks, has accounted for eight. His observer is A. S. Cutfield (Auckland), who was recently promoted to flying officer. They have been together for a year. Flight Lieutenant J. Gunn (Gisborne) has shot up two trains and two barges. Sergeant D. N. Robinson (Gisborne) and Flight Sergeant R, D. Bcrgemann have both shot up three trains. This damage inflicted on enemy transport is most important work, disrupting communications and overtaxing locomotive repair yards. The Beaufighters cross the Channel at ‘'nought feet” and roam over the country seeking trains, which can often be picked out in the moonlight by tell-tale steam and smoke. Then the Beaufighters rake them from a low level with cannon shells. This New Zealand squadron has had several changes in personnel. Wing Commander R. M. Trousdale, D.F.C. and Bar (Howick). has been succeeded by Wing Commander P. R. BurtonGyles, D.5.0., D.F.C, and Bar, who is an Englishman. He won his D.F.C. in July, 1940, and the Bar in July, 1941, after an attack against warships at Brest. He received the D.S.O. for several outstanding feats, including superb airmanship in bringing back a seriously damaged aircraft after a mining operation. Paul Rabone (Palmerston North) has left for Malta to fly Mosquitoes. He has been succeeded as flight commander by a Mr Davison. The other flight commander is English. A. E. Browne (Auckland) was recently promoted to flight lieutenant and R. S. Jeffs (Wanganui). T. P. Ryan, and N; M. Knox Were promoted to pilot officers. The squadron is now equipped with the latest Beaufighters. with Hercules motors. The squadron is very keen to give up training and become fully operational. Peter of Jugoslavia.— The fact mat some members of the Jugoslav Government are reported to favour an sarly marriage of King Peter and princess Alexandra is not expected to afffct the decision that the marriage must wait until after the war, says the Daily Mail." The newspaper adds that me personal secretary to Queen Marie. King Peter’s mother, said that there was no change in the arrangement to Postpone King Peter’s marriage.—London. May 30