DESTRUCTIVELY BOMBED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 August 1943, Page 3

DESTRUCTIVELY BOMBED

RAILWAYS NETWORK ROUND NAPLES Main Lines Put Out of Action / AT LEAST FIFTY ENEMY FIGHTERS SHOT DOWN AGAINST LOSS OF EIGHT ALLIED AIRCRAFT LONDON, August 22. The Allied Mediterranean air forces gave the much-battered railway system in Southern Italy another hammering yesterday. The targets were four of the most vital centres of the network of railway lines round Naples. Correspondents state that by the time the attacking aircraft had finished their work they had cut the north-south and the east-west lines. Marauders, Fortresses, Liberators and Wellingtons made the attacks. Direct hits were scored on the targets and a great many fires were started. Correspondents state that it is difficult to say how long the railway lines vfcll be out of use, but it is believed that the damage is very severe and as near to permanent destruction as can be achieved. ■ The planes taking part in two of the attacks met extremely heavy fighter opposition. A force of Marauders, with their fighter escort, shot down 25 enemy more than half the fighter strength up against them. Liberators from the Middle East, in their raid on Cancello, met wave after wave of Messerschmitts and Focke-Wulfs, which tried to block the bombers’ bomb-runs. At least 25 enemy fighters were destroyed and 12 more were probably destroyed or badly damaged. Yesterday’s operations cost the Allies eight aircraft.