BIG CONTRIBUTION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 September 1943, Page 4

BIG CONTRIBUTION

TO ACHIEVEMENT AT SALERNO MADE BY ALLIED AIR FORCES MOST TREMENDOUS ONSLAUGHT - OF WAR. ENEMY DRIVEN FROM SKIES. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.0 a.m.) LONDON, September 17. “Allied planes are pouring down upon the Germans in the Salerno , area the greatest weight of bombs ever hurled on a single battle zone,” says the British United Press correspondent at Algiers. “The Salerno air screen, which is the greatest of this war, has been maintained for another 24 hours. Never in combined operations of troops, ships and planes has there been such a striking demonstration of air support. “Allied planes in the past 72 hours,” the correspondent continues, ‘.‘have made 6,000 sorties over the battle area, contributing greatly to the turning of the tide in our favour. Their role is now changed from protecting our troops to slowing up the enemy, so that the Fifth and Eighth armies can come to grips with the Germans. Every plane the Allies can muster is being thrown into this area and also against targets immediately behind the German lines which are vital for their supply, notably Potenza.” A. R.A.F. spokesman at Allied headquarters stated that the failure of the enemy’s air force to take part in the Salerno fighting was probably due to cur attacks on his aerodromes and supply lines. The Allied? ground troops have rarely been troubled by German planes, which seem to have been used only against shipping, or for occasional hit and run attacks.