ATTACK HELD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 February 1943, Page 3

ATTACK HELD

AFTER HEAVY FIGHTING OTHER ENEMY THRUSTS ALSO REPULSED. ACTIVITIES IN THE AIR. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.40 a.m.) RUGBY, February 22. A North African communique states: “A strong enemy attack in the area north-west of Kasserine was successfully held by the Allied forces after heavy fighting, in which the enemy suffered casualties and tank losses. “South of Sbi'ba enemy tanks and infantry attacks were repulsed. Patrol fighter aircraft attacked enemy tanks and vehicles in this area. Air operations in this area were severely restricted by bad weather. “In the northern sector the enemy near Mejez El Bab was also repulsed. Railroad yards at Gafsa were bombed and hits on the target were observed. “Bombers and fighters on a sea sweep made a low-level attack on an enemy convoy south of Sicily. A supply ship, one warship and two escort vessels were hit. Four enemy aircraft were destroyed. One of our aircraft is missing.” PALERMO BOMBED ALSO TARGETS IN SICILY. TWO ENEMY AIRCRAFT SHOT DOWN. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.40 a.m.) RUGBY, February 22. A Middle East communique states: “The weather again affected offensive air operations in the forward areas yesterday. On Saturday night, medium bombers attacked Palermo Harbour, starting six fires. Various localities in Sicily were also bombed. In the Central Mediterranean torpedo bombers attacked a convoy escorted by destroyers. Despite very bad visibility, smoke was seen rising from a large merchant vessel. Another west-bound ship was also attacked by torpedoes and bombs. A, hit was scored on the stern of a small sized merchant vessel, which was left stationary. The same night fighters shot down a Junkers 88 west of Tobruk, while '■anti-aircraft defences accounted for a second Junkers 88 and probably a third. In a successful attack on Melos Harbour yesterday, one medium-sized merchant vessel was blown up, and a slightly smaller ship set on fire. Four of our aircraft are missing.”