SLOWED BY WEATHER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 November 1943, Page 3

SLOWED BY WEATHER

OPERATIONS IN ITALY LITTLE CHANGE ON BATTLE FRONT. AIR ATTACKS ON ENEMY TRANSPORT. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.35 a.m.) RUGBY, November 16. A North Africa land communique says: “Bad weather conditions have limited the scope of operations by both the Fifth and Eighth armies.” The Algiers radio states that the Eighth Army has occupied high ground north of Atcssa, while on the Fifth Army front our troops were forced to yield a hill north of Venafro. An air communique reports: —“Operations by fighters were limited by bad weather. Transport was attacked in the battle area. A number of trucks were destroyed near Ancona. Two of our aircraft are missing.” DAMAGING ATTACK MADE ON ATHENS AIRFIELDS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.35 a.m.) RUGBY, November 16. A North-West Africa air communique says: “On Monday an attack was made on the Eleusis Airfield, near Athens, by heavy bombers of the NorthWest African Air Force, escorted by long-range fighters. Medium bombers, also escorted by long-range fighters, attacked the Kalamiti Airfield at Athens. Both targets were covered by bomb straddles.” Another message states that in the attacks on the Athens airfields, which are the German main bases for air operations in the Aegean, hangars, barracks and other buildings were damaged, and at least eight enemy aircraft were destroyed. LEROS BATTLE GARRISON HOLDING FIRMLY. UNDER INCESSANT BOMBING. LONDON, November 16. Allied forces on Leros continue to hold the enemy, and are reported to have re-established communication between the northern and southern parts of the island. A correspondent says the garrison is holding on firmly, but that it is a question how long the troops can stand incessant bombing. AIR ACTIVITY IN THE AEGEAN AREA. ATTACKS ON ENEMY BASES ' AND SHIPPING. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.52 a.m.) RUGBY, November 16. Middle East aircraft continued their attacks on enemy shipping in the Aegean area and positions on Leros, Crete and Rhodes, during the day and « night. Spitfires and Hurricanes carried out a sweep over Rhodes and attacked mechanical transport and anti-aircraft guns in Crete. American bombers, escorted by British long-range fighters, encountered two enemy destroyers, escorted by Junkers 88 and an Arrado 196, near Leros. A hit on one vessel was followed by a large column of black ■ smoke.

In an attack on Cato airfield, in Rhodes, on Monday night, bursts were seen in the aircraft dispersal area and a red glow was observed. Heavy bombers scored bursts among hangars on the Maritza airfield, in Rhodes. From these and other operations none of our aircraft are missing.