SMASHING ATTACKS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 July 1943, Page 3

SMASHING ATTACKS

ON ITALIAN MAINLAND AERODROMES MADE BY ALLIED BOMBERS. MANY FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10 a.m.) RUGBY, July 14. Middle East Liberators and the Ninth American Air Force smashed at the Crotone and Vibo Valienta aerodromes, in Calabria, on the Italian mainland, at daylight yesterday. Nearly 200 tons of high explosive bombs were dropped, causing great damage. At Vibo Valienta, hits were observed on three hangars, which were left unserviceable. Other direct hits were seen among administrative buildings and munition storage sheds, which exploded. Transport planes were seen blazing, and one enemy aircraft was seen to burst as it landed. Several oil fires were also started. Great columns of black smoke rose from the aero-, dromes as the American bombers turned homewards. At Crotone two waves of attacking bombers covered the target area, bursts starting many oil fires and causing explosions. An unquoted number of aircraft were set on fire by incendiaries, dropped on dispersal areas. Sixteen fires were observed in one section. Large fires burning could be seen by our bombers over Vibo Valienta. Our Liberators met no enemy fighters and all the aircraft returned.