GREATEST YET

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 May 1943, Page 4

GREATEST YET

ONSLAUGHT ON ITALIAN DEFENCES DEVASTATING HAVOC WROUGHT BY ALLIED AIR • FORCES. IN DAY & NIGHT OPERATIONS. LONDON, May 26. Yesterday, the Allied Mediterranean air forces unleashed what is described as the biggest offensive yet launched against Italy’s outer ring of island defences.

After raids in the night by bombers, over 400 planes were out on the offensive during the day over Sicily, Sardinia and Pantelleria, leaving another trail of shattered docks, sinking shipping, battered airfields and wrecked communications behind them. Supply bases on Sicily were attacked, with a view to breaking up the whole organisation behind the island s defences. The chief target was Messina, where Liberators dropped 175 tons of bombs on docks and' railways. A strong force of Fortresses dropped a great weight of bombs on supply depots, power stations, airfields and seaplane bases. The Italians admit serious damage. Sardinian airfields, communications and shipping also came in for another heavy bombing. Pantelleria was raided four times. Twenty-four Axis fighters were shot down. The Allies lost 11 aircraft.

DETAILS OF DAMAGE GIVEN IN OFFICIAL REPORTS. ITALIAN ADMISSIONS. (Received This Day, 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, May 26. An Algiers communique states: "On Monday night Wellington bombers attacked Olbia, where they greatly damaged docks and shipping. The NorthWest African Air Force yesterday continued its offensive, heavily attacking objectives in Sicily, Sardinia and Pantelleria. A large force of Flying Fortresses attacked Messina. Bombs burst in the dock area, railway marshalling yards, power stations and the naval base, where large explosions occurred. Mitchell Marauders attacked other harbours in Sicily, and hits were seen in the dock area, and on sheds and quays. At Licata bombs fell on sulphur works, among vessels against the quays, and on a power station at Porto Empcdocle. Lightnings carried out numerous sorties in daylight, and attacked shipping communications, hit a supply vessel and power station at Porto Scuso. Many bombs fell among dispersed planes on the Boddadifalco airfield. The Terranove airfield was also attacked, and many hits were registered on administrative buildings at the Milo airfield. Warhawk fighter-bombers and Mitchells, during daylight, attacked Pantelleria and hit airfields and docks.” A Cairo communique states that United States heavy bombers raided Messina in daylight yesterday. Many bomb bursts were seen along railway sidings and on the naval oil depot in the dock area, where numerous fires were started.

A Rome communique admits that Messina was seriously damaged, especially in the central zone.

AEGEAN TARGETS FIGHTERS ATTACK SHIPS AND ENEMY BASES. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.50 a.m.) RUGBY, May 26. Further Mediterranean activity is reported in a Middle East air communique, which says:—“R.A.F. long-range fighters yesterday attacked the seaplane base at Preveza, on the west coast of Greece, destroying four warplanes and damaging several more, and setting fire to a petrol installation and an enemy-schooner. In the Aegean Sea, a small sailing vessel was left in flames. All our aircraft returned.”