AGAIN HEAVILY BOMBED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 April 1943, Page 3

AGAIN HEAVILY BOMBED

CHIEF ITALIAN NAVAL BASE OF SPEZIA Docks Showered With High Explosives TWO HEAVY EXPLOSIONS—ONE IN AREA OF ARSENAL ONLY ONE ATTACKING AIRCRAFT LOST LONDON, April 19. The crews of bombers which raided Spezia last night confirm that Mussolini’s chief naval base had another heavy battering. The flak became weaker and weaker as the attack developed and high explosives showered down on the docks. There were two big explosions, one in the area of the arsenal. Night fighters took advantage of the bright moonlight, but they were not very persistent. Only one bomber failed to report back. The Air Ministry says the attack was heavy and concentrated. Intruder forces of Mosquitoes, Whirlwinds and Beaufighters were out over France. Nine trains were shot up in Northern France.

RAID ON SKODA

APPLAUDED BY CZECHS IN SPITE OF INEVITABLE SACRIFICES. MATTER OF NATIONAL HONOUR. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 18. “We know that sorrow over the inevitable sacrifices will be drowned by realisation of the military and political significance of this bombing,” said an official spokesman of the Czechoslovak Government in London, broadcasting tonight to “friends in the Pilsen region.” He said: “We can imagine what it means when several hundred aircraft appear over the Skoda works. The Nazi system has created not joy in work, but repulsion for work. That is why we have received more than once, and recently with even greater insistence, messages from our country asking that the Allied air forces should help the Czech workers in the common struggle. Such a raid causes unavoidable and grievous suffering, but its military significance can be assessed only by those who understand what Skoda means for the German war industry. We are convinced that our people accept this enterprise of the R.A.F. with firm determination and welcome in it a mighty ally. “It is a matter of national honour for us that the machines of Skoda should be brought to a standstill. We welcomed this attack and we expect it to be repeated.” TRAINS & DESTROYERS ATTACKED BY BRITISH FIGHTERS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, April 19. Aircraft of Fighter Command on intruder operations last night attacked goods trains and locomotives in northern France and enemy destroyers at Lorient. One fightei’ is missing. Reports from the south-east coast this morning say that fighters were active over the Straits of Dover.