Evening star., 1943-05-26
Mediterranean
Continued From First Page \

bombers and fighters were over at
least one of the three Italian islands
The f1ercest air fights took place
over Sicily and it was there that the
% Axis planes were shot down.
Authoritative sources said that
yesterdays extremely heavy pound
ing of the outer italian defenses was
evidence of the increasing might of
the Allied air forces and indicated
that even this scale OF attack would
soon be dWarfed by blows now be-
ing prepared
Allies Lose IL Planes.
The Allied loss OF II planes was
described as remarkably small in
view Of the large attacking forces
and proof of the superior tactics.
equipment and leadership"
The tWo-day blasting of the Sicil-
ian ferry terminus of Messina was
the high point of the days assault
and the blasting given the city by
the Fortresses was described as one
OF the most successful attacks of
the North African campaign"
Photographs taken during the raid
showed that all but few bombs fell
in military areas.
The Italian communique claimed
A planes were shot down during
the day. eight of them of the
Flying Fortress type Rome also
claimed that Italian torpedo
bombers sank two medium sized
steamers and damaged a third
along the African COAST
Installations Are Hit.
Direct hits were scored on ferry
slipways. railroad yards, supply
dumps. railway shops, military stores
and heavy explosions were seen
when string Of bombs fell on the
naval seaplane base. Thick black
smoke rose in tall column.
Anti aircraft fire was intense, but
the greatest trouble for the Fort
resses came from enemy fighters
Near Trapani. Sicily, a pack of 40
German fighters pounced on 10 Fort
reSSeS en- route to their target
Twelve of the Nazi planes were shot
down and all the Fortresses came
back safely.
tToday's italian communique
acknowledged that Messina was
repeatedly attacked and impor-
tant damage was caused,
Raj Wellington bombers struck
again Monday night at Olbia. Sar-
dina. which was hit strongly the
day before by American medium
bombers and fighters.
Harbors in Sicily were raided by
BIS Mitchell and B-26 Marauder
bombers, escorted by P-38 Lightn-
ings.
Three Other Planes Downed.
In addition to reporting that 26
enemy aircraft were shot down
yesterday, the Allied communique
said three were bagged by the We'll
lington bomber force on Monday
night.
This raised the total of enemy
aircraft destroyed in this theater
in the last week to at least 355.
The Mitchell and Marauder bomb
ers registered hits on the dock area
at Llcata and on sheds on the quays
Sulphur works at Empedocle were
blasted and other explosives were
dropped among vessels concentrated
at the docks and on a powerhouse
in the city.
The American Lightnings swooped
out on numerous sorties during the
day to attack enemy shipping and
communications.
The war bulletin said a supply and
a power station were strafed at
Portoscuso, airfelds were attacked
at Terranova and Bobba di Falco
Many bombs were reported dropped
among dispersed aircraft on the
Bobba di Falco field
Many hits also were registered on
the hangers and administrative
buildings at the Milo airfield.
WarhaWk fighter bombers and
Mitchells roared to the attack on
Pantelleria and bomb hits were
scored on the airfield and docks.