FALL OF LAMPEDUSA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 June 1943, Page 3

FALL OF LAMPEDUSA

AFTER BRIEF BBT INTENSE ATTACK SWIFT CHANGEOVER MADE BY ALLIES. UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) LONDON, June 12. A special North African communique states: “After 24 hours of intermittent naval and air bombardment, Lampedusa today surrendered. It is being occupied by Allied forces.” White flags were seen on Lampedusa at 6.20 p.m. as Allied forces approached the island after the pounding. An officer went ashore at 7 p.m. and demanded unconditional surrender, which was given by the officer commanding the garrison. Immediately the formalities had been completed the officer informed the Italian commander that the Allied forces would take over, and later in the evening troops disembarked at the small port at the southern end and occupied the whole of the island.

Relays of Mitchells, Bostons and Baltimores escorted by Warhawks and Lightnings had bombed Lampedusa, inflicting heavy damage. By mid-after-noon the gun emplacements and batteries had been knocked out and the radio station damaged. It is estimated that one-third of the town is wrecked. Lampedusa is the largest of a group of three, islands lying some 90 miles south-east of Pantelleria. It is a barren, flat-topped island and is difficult of access from the sea. The other islands—Linora, 25 miles to the northeast. and Lampione, 10 miles to the west, are both very small. The Algiers radio stated that commandos had considerably softened the defences of Lampedusa. The Allied air attacks switched from Pantellaria tto Lampedusa 90 minutes after the first white flag had appeared on Pantelleria. It is considered to have been the fastest tactical changeover that has ever been carried out by ~.:r/ air force.

Lampedusa, without warning, was deluged with bombs. There was no rising crescendo, but a sudden unleashing of the attack that had been previously poured on Pantelleria. Nevertheless. Lampedusa was given a chance to surrender by messages which were dropped to the garrison from planes. Allied bombers first saw the white Hag on Lampedusa in the middle of this afternoon after the North African Air Forces had plastered the island for 24 hours. *•

Our warships, however, did not see the flags and remained off the island till 7 p.m„ when an Allied officer went ashore and dictated the surrender terms to the senior Italian officer on the island. The occupation of Lampedusa immediately followed, and Allied troops tonight were guarding the iiland.