GREAT DESTRUCTION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 July 1943, Page 3

GREAT DESTRUCTION

CAUSED BV ALLIED BOMBERS IN MESSINA WIDESPREAD AND DEVASTATING ATTACKS. ON LAND AND SEA TARGETS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.2 a.m.) RUGBY, July 15. Nearly 300 bombers made concentrated attacks on Messina from North Africa and the Middle East. Nearly 180 tons of high explosives were dropped in daylight by about 75 Middle East and United States Liberators, which attacked the ferry terminal in three waves. Great destruction was caused among transport facilities. Direct hits were scored on marshalling yards and railway tracks; A large explosion among naval oil storage tanks was followed by a great fire. Mustangs continued their offensive over Sicilian areas at daybreak and maintained it throughout the day, bombing towns and railways in Leonforte, Vallelunga and Stefano, in Central Sicily. Three locomotives and at least 30 railway wagons and dozens of trucks were destroyed. Many others were damaged. Five Mustang pilots reported missing over the past three days have now returned safely to their squadron. Spectacular attacks were made on enemy shipping near Corsica and Sardinia. R.A.F. Beaufighters torpedoed a tanker, which blew up and was left blazing. They left a cargo vessel sinking. They also shot up a small cargo ship and a destroyer. A Junkers 52 was destroyed.,

GALLANT RECORD OF BRITISH BEAUFIGHTERS WELL OVER 100 SHIPS SUNK IN AEGEAN. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10 a.m.) RUGBY, July 15. In less than three months since Beaufighters began to operate over the Middle East, principally over the Aegean Sea, they have attacked or sunk well over 100 ships carrying enemy supplies through the islands to defence positions. Many of thir attacks have been carried out at mast height. One Beaufighter recently returned from an attack with nine feet of wireless cable trailing from a propeller.