AIR OPERATIONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 October 1943, Page 3

AIR OPERATIONS

ATTACKS BY ALLIED PLANES ON RAILWAY AND OTHER TARGETS. DESTRUCTION OF ENEMY MACHINES. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.) RUGBY, October 22. A North Africa air communique sta■*tes': “Heavy bombers of the NorthWest African Air Forces yesterday attacked rail bridges and tracks at Montalto di Castro, Acquapendente and Orbetello, scoring direct hits in many places, and the fighter escort shot down six enemy aircraft. “Fighter-bombers attacked marshalling yards at Skoplje, hitting locomotive sheds. Light and medium bombers ranged over the entire battle area, attacking transport bridges and gun positions. Three small ships were damaged off the coast of Yugoslavia and six Junkers 87s were destroyed. “On Wednesday night, light bombers attacked bridges and road junctions in the battle area. In all these operations 20 enemy aircraft were destroyed. One of our aircraft is missing. “A railway and bridges at Giulianova were attacked by night bombers last night.” Montalto di Castro is 55 miles northwest of Rome. Acquapendente is just north of Lake Bolsena and Orbetello is on the coast opposite Corsica. Giulianova is 25 miles north-west of Pescara. A Middle East air communique states: “R.A.F. bombers on Wednesday night attacked airfields at Maritza, in Rhodes, bursts occurring on the runway and in a landing area. Fighters destroyed a Junkers 88 over the Mediterranean on Wednesday. From all operations none i of our aircraft are missing.”