AXIS SHIPS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 January 1943, Page 3

AXIS SHIPS

FOUR CERTAINLY SUNK IN MEDITERRANEAN AND PROBABLY THREE OTHERS LATEST FEATS OF BRITISH SUBMARINES. AIR AND LAND OPERATIONS IN NORTH AFRICA. LONDON, January 15. British submarines have torpedoed seven more Axis ships trying to take supplies to North Africa. Four were sunk for certain and the three others were probably sunk. Two of Britain’s best known submarine commanders were responsible for most of the sinkings. One submarine sank a large supply ship off Naples and shelled the Italian coast, wrecking electric cables and damaging a bridge. Giving details of these successes, an Admiralty communique states: “A submarine commanded by Commander B. Bryant sank a mine-sweeper with gunfire and torpedo, after taking a number of prisoners. The same submarine sank a small supply ship, scored two torpedo hits on another one and took prisoners from a small vessel laden with petrol, which she attacked off the coast of Tripolitania. Two fully-laden small ships, bound for Tripoli with supplies for the enemy, were sunk off the eastern Tunisian coast bv a submarine commanded by Lieutenant H. B. Turner. A submarine commanded by Lieutenant A. C. G. Mars torpedoed and probably sank a large merchantman off Naples and also bombarded land targets on the southern Italian coast.” Allied aircraft again raided many Axis targets from Misurta to Sousse. Ten Axis fighters were destroyed in combat and at least twelve more were crippled. Four Allied planes were lost in Tunisia and 13 are missing in Tripolitania, but it is believed that a good proportion of these will get back. The lull in the land fighting at both ends of the North African front continues. STRONG REACTION TO ALLIED AIR ACTIVITY. MANY COMBATS OVER BATTLE AREAS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.35 a.m.) RUGBY, January 15. “The enemy reaction to Allied air activity yesterday was strong,” states a Cairo message, “and there were a number of air combats over the battle area. British, American and South African light bombers attacked important enemy forward landing grounds. They also bombed and shot up motor transport. During the day at least eight enemy aircraft were destroyed, and more than a dozen were damaged. Extensive operations were carried out by Allied bombers on Wednesday night. A large force of medium bombers attacked encampments and transport, starting many fires, causing explosions. Other medium bombers attacked roads and tracks behind the enemy lines, coming down low to mach-ine-gun transport. Heavy bombers of the R.A.F. concentrated on road junctions in the Tripoli area, while supply dumps at Misurata were bombed and the Tagura gate was also attacked. Intruder raids were carried out on jpotor transport moving west, between Zuara and Tripoli. Explosions and fires resulted.” DAMAGING RAIDS. Air attacks were also made on transport and encampments in the coastal areas of Tunisia and Tripolitania and on an aerodrome on Lampedusa Island and a schooner was shot up off Eastern Tunisia, a Middle East joint communique reports. "Thirteen of our pilots have not returned,” it adds, “although it is expected that some of them made safe landings and will report in due course.” “Two enemy fighters were shot down m operations.” an Allied Force North African communique states. “Sousse and Sfax were bombed by Flying Fortresses, barges and quays being hit and fires left burning. Forward areas were also attacked. Four of our aircraft were lost, but one of our pilots is safe. On Wednesday, two enemy bombers were shot down and another enemy fighter was destroyed. The enemy has been using North African coast ports to full capacity to bring in supplies and reinforcements, and the attack on Sousse resulted in damage to quays, while fuel > stores, depots and warehouses at Stax were set on lire. A railway near Sfax and a roadway in the Mahares I area were also bombed.” FRENCH SUCCESSES IN SOUTHERN TUNISIA. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.5 a.m.) RUGBY, January 15. French Headquarters, according to the Morocco radio, states that there has been lively patrol activity south-west of Kairouan and that French forces have fought successful local actions. Air activity has been on a small scale.