SHATTERING ATTACK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 May 1943, Page 3

SHATTERING ATTACK

ON SEAPLANE BASE NEAR ROME HANGARS AND AIRCRAFT DESTROYED. THREE JUNKERS SHOT DOWN BY MALTA PLANES. ■LONDON, May 17. R.A.F. bombers last night dropped bombs on an important seaplane base .15 miles south-west of Rome. This is the nearest point to Rome yet attacked. The high explosives dropped must have been heard in the capital. The attack was sudden and spectacular and was made in brilliant moonlight, from less than 1000 ft. Two large hangars were set on fire and reduced to twisted metal. A number of parked aircraft were destroyed. After unloading their bombs, the bombers dropped still lower and machine-gunned their targets. The pilots flew over Rome on their return and could plainly see every major landmark in the capital. Malta fighters were out again yesterday over enemy territory. Two Junkers 52s were destroyed. Last night intruder aircraft from Malta continued their attacks against shipping and communications in western and southern Italy. A Junkers 88 was destroyed.

British naval units in the Mediterranean have occupied the island of Zembra, ten miles north-west of Cape Bon. They rounded up 190 Germans, some of whom were trying to escape in barges and were using garden spades as paddles.