SUICIDE MISSION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 May 1943, Page 3

SUICIDE MISSION

CARRIED OUT BV BRITISH AIRMEN I WHOLE FORMATION LATER DESTROYED. POSTHUMOUS V.C. AWARDED. TO LEADER. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, May 12. Flying in a very daring raid on one of the enemy’s forward aerodromes in North Africa, for which Wing Commander Malcolm was posthumously awarded the V.C., a force of 10 Bisleys was wiped out after it had successfully completed an unescorted bombing raid from a height of 200 ft. The story has just been told in London by one of the survivors, who said that though the airmen knew the chances of returning were almost nil, they were prepared to follow Malcolm anywhere. They were attacked by Messerschmitt fighters as soon as they had dropped their bombs, which destroyed the enemy airfield, and were eventually forced out of formation and all destroyed. The survivor who told the story escaped from his machine with two companions after crashing on a hillside and being chased by enemy troops into the British ines. ‘We were accelerated by cannon shells from an enemy fighter,” he said, when describing the race for the British lines, “but we made it. Then I passed out and the party was over.” He said Malcolm fought back and did his best to keep the planes in formation but they were forced apart and shot down one by one. Those taking part knew that an unescorted attack meant almost certain death. DEAD CITV BIZERTA REDUCED. TO RUINS. RESULT OF CONCENTRATED BOMBING. LONDON, May 13.' A ‘‘Daily Mail” correspondent says Bizerta has ceased to exist. It is as dead as Pompeii, with its streets utterly deserted. There is not one unbombed house. Most of them are so badly smashed that repair is impossible. Bizerta will have to be rebuilt from its foundations. Its population of 20,000 long ago took refuge from incessant bombing in the country. Admiral de la Fleche, fomer commander of the French naval arsenal at Ferryville, whom the Germans released from internment under police supervision, saw about 200 Allied raids. He declared that the most eflective were those carried out by Flying Fortresses in daylight. They hit the docks and ships with unfailing accuracy. Night raids were not so effective, but they prevented the Germans from unloading supply ships after sunset. GIRAUD IN TUNIS TRIUMPHANT ENTRY. AMID POPULAR ACCLAMATION LONDON, May 13. The Algiers radio reports that General Giraud triumphantly entered Tunis yesterday and addressed French and Allied troops. He expressed gratitude to the Allies, thanks to whom victory had been made possble. General Giraud, driving through the town escorted only by Spahis on white horses, was warmly acclaimed by the French and native population. General Alexander and Air Marshal Coningham also visited Tunis and Bizerta. Commenting on the fall of Tunis, a military spokesman on Berlin radio says it would be quite out of place to attempt to deny that the British and American forces have achieved a military success of some value, but the other side of the question is the price they were forced to pay for this success. The Axis, he claimed, has gained valuable time, fresh armies have been raised and equipped, and new weapons developed and produced which the German forces will employ in the months to come.