“QUITE A HOLE”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 August 1943, Page 3

“QUITE A HOLE”

MADE IN • EVACUATION FLEET ON AXIS ESCAPE LINE IN SPITE OF LIMITED TARGET. OFFERED TO ALLIED AIR FORCES. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.50 a.m.) RUGBY, August 16. The air onslaught from Sicilian bases was switched yesterday to a number of new targets and railroad centres and communication points in the toe of Italy were heavily hit. While part of the North-West African Air Force was occupied in this work, the remaindercontinued the routine task of harassing the retreating enemy on his evacuation line.

The bridge and tunnel of Porto Di Stalletti, a railway tunnel south of Bianco, marshalling yards at Sapri and a railway junction at Sibari were hit and large explosions were observed. Fighter-bombers of the Desert Air Force were flown through a greater anti-aircraft barrage than was assembled for the defence of London in 191) to attack small craft in Messina Straits. Numerous hits were scored on these craft, but it must be appreciated that 'the evacuation is nothing comparable to Dunkirk. A senior officer of the R.A.F. said there was really no comparison with the B.E.F. evacuation. The Axis forces had only a narrow stretch or water between Sicily and the mainland, which could be crossed in fifteen minutes by landing craft, and “the enemy prefers to do so under cover of darkness,” said the officer, adding: “Nevertheless we have made quite a hole in this ferry fleet. We have also been demoralising enemy transport drivers. Our work has been hard and unspectacular, but it has paid good dividends.”