GETTING HEAVIER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 April 1943, Page 3

GETTING HEAVIER

ALLIED AIR ATTACKS BIZERTA & NAPLES AMONG TARGETS. SHIPPING & DOCKS BLASTED. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, April 13. The Allied bombing of. Axis targets is growing still heavier The latest targets for our big bombers have been Bizerta, places in Sicily, and Naples, which was attacked yesterday and the day previously. Three other ports in the toe of Italy were also attacked. * Today’s communique from Algiers says: “Flying Fortresses continued heavy attacks on enemy ports and shipping. They made a direct hit on a merchant-man at Bizerta and started several fires in the dock area. They also hit a large tanker at Trapani, and bursts which were observed among concentrations of barges caused a very large fire. Escorting Lightnings during these attacks shot down four enemy planes.’ A United States communique' issued in Cairo states: “Liberators attacked Naples harbour in daylight on Sunday. Hits were observed on a mole and also in the vicinity of a shipbuilding works. Enemy fighters intercepted, and three of them were destroyed and five others probably destroyed. Liberators also attacked Naples, Cosenza, Crotone, and Pizzo yesterday. The results at Naples and Crotone were not observed because of heavy clouds. Bursts were observed on railway yards at Cosenza and also along wharves at Pizzo. One bomber is missing.’ COMING BATTLE LIKELY TO BE STERNEST , OF ALL. NAZIS FIGHTING ONLY FOR TIME. LONDON, April 14. The latest available reports from Tunisia refer only to British and French pressure north of Sousse and Kairouan. So far it is not known whether either of these spearheads has yet reached the hills round Tunis where the Axis is expected to make its last big stand in Africa. “The Times” comments: “It is not the issue of the coming attack that is at stake, but only its duration. The Battle of Tunisia remains a fight for time. “The Germans have about 150,000 . carefully-husbanded troops in North Africa, and it is in their power to make the final phase of the campaign the sternest of all.”