AIR ONSLAUGHT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 November 1943, Page 3

AIR ONSLAUGHT

IN WESTERN & EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN AMERICANS BOMB BASES NEAR MARSEILLES USED IN ATTACK ON CONVOYS LONDON, November 17. Allied aircraft from North Africa have attacked two airfields near Marseilles from which the Germans deliver attacks on convoys in the Western Mediterranean. One of these enemy bases was bdmbed by American Flying Fortresses shortly after midday today. Numerous hits were made on hangars, workshops and parked aircraft. One spectacular hit blew up an ammunition dump. Twelve out of 30 enemy fighters which came up were destroyed by the unescorted Fortresses. Marauders later attacked another airfield near Marseilles. One out of 15 enemy fighters was shot down. At the other end of the Mediterranean Allied aircraft again attacked the Eleusis airfield, near Athens. Fires were still burning from the earlier raid and new fires were started. Air attacks were made also on Rhodes and other objectives in the Aegean. From all these operations three Allied aircraft are missing. BIG FIRES STARTED ENEMY AIRCRAFT AFLAME ON GROUND. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.50 a.m.) RUGBY, November 17. The important German air bases of Istres Le Tupe and Salon, neai’ Marseilles, were badly damaged yesterday in a double attack by Flying Fortresses and Marauders, according to a message from Allied Headquarters. Large fires and flaming aircraft were seen on the ground. WESTERN GERMANY RAIDED WITHOUT LOSS BY MOSQUITOS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.30 a.m.) RUGBY, November 17. The Air Ministry states: “Last night Mosquitos of the Bomber Command, without loss, attacked objectives in Western Germany.”