VERY SUCCESSFUL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 August 1943, Page 4

VERY SUCCESSFUL

AIR ATTACKS ON RAILWAYS ROUND NAPLES LASTING DAMAGE DONE. IN DISRUPTING IMPORTANT COMMUNICATIONS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 1.2 p.m.) RUGBY, August 22. The Mediterranean air forces yesterday continued to hammer Southci n Italy's much-battered railway system The targets were four of the most vital centres of the network around Naples. Marauders bombed a point wheie an electric railway splits up to form a loop round Naples. Flying Fortresses went for a place in the middle of the loop, and the junction of lines running across country. Liberators struck at « place on the opposite side of the loop, and by night Wellingtons attacked an important junction south of Naples. All four attacks were very successful. Railway yards were covered with bombs, and direct hits were seen on stations, warehouses, factories and the railway track. A great many fires were started. Military authorities at Allied Headquarters believe the damage to be very severe, and think it should be as permanent as could be obtained. Extremely bitter opposition was encountered by the Marauders, which, with their fighter escort, destroyed 25 enemy fighters —more than half of the force which intercepted them. A second big battle occurred when about 70 Middle East Liberators attacked their target. They met successive waves of German fighters, destroying at least 25, with 12 others probably destroyed. All yesterday's operations cost us eight bombers.

Another message states that as a result of Allied air attacks during the past few days, railways connecting Naples with other parts of Italy are almost completely paralysed. Railways south and cast from Naples were cut as a result of yesterday’s attacks against Villa Literno and Aversa. A particularly heavy pounding has been carried out against its communications with the important Foggia air base. An Italian communique states that enemy planes dropped leaflets and flares over Rome yesterday. The defences did not go into action owing to the measures about to be adopted to make Rome an open city.