HEAVY LOSSES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 April 1943, Page 4

HEAVY LOSSES

SUFFERED BY ENEMY IN LAND AND AIR OPERATIONS. CONSIDERABLE BAG OF PRISONERS EXPECTED. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.30 a.m.) RUGBY, April 11. Besides damaging two Italian heavy cruisers, the strong force of Flying Fortresses which raided La Maddalena also attacked the submarine base and harbour installations. Many fires were left burning in the target area and among shipping. No Allied planes were lost in this operation. In two sweeps over the Sicilian Straits, our fighters destroyed 30 enemy transport planes and eleven escorting fighters. Our bombers destroyed ten more transport planes and two fighters. Heavy attacks were continued last night and today on enemy troops and transport concentrations in the Enfidaville area, 25 miles north of Sousse. Many vehicles were destroyed. Five enemy fighters were destroyed by our fighters on the northern battle area. From all these operations three Allied planes are missing. A communique indicates that the sweep northwards continues speedily and successfully. It is unlikely that any large part of Rommel’s forces has been cut off, but a considerable bag of prisoners probably will be swept up.