ON AERODROMES IN SICILY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 June 1943, Page 3

ON AERODROMES IN SICILY

Enemy Aircraft Smashed on Ground SPACIOUS UNDERGROUND ESTABLISHMENT FOUND IN DISORDER BUT WELL STOCKED ON PANTELLERIA LONDON, June 14. Heavy bombers from the Middle East, in attacks on two Sicilian aerodromes, smashed up enemy aircraft on the ground. The aerodrome at Catania had a double pounding. A raid on Saturday night started a number of fires and this attack was followed up in daylight yesterday by American Liberators, which did a great deal of damage among aircraft. Axis fighter opposition was heavier than usual. Liberators shot down five enemy fighters and escorting planes beat off other attacks. A correspondent describes a great underground aerodrome constructed by the Italians at Pantelleria. Carved out of the hillside, it is like an enormous railway station underground. The main hall is a quarter of a mile long and over 120 ft, wide. There is also another hall of about the same size and tremendous cellars, all cut out of solid rock, for storage purposes. The Whole place is filled up with many kinds of parts and equipment, including complete aircraft engines still in their crates. The Italians left it in a terrible mess and it will take some time to tidy it up, but it will be very useful to the Allies when it is placed in order. 4