The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-02-08

NNOAlVAAAuCN AkOlH rage ~
vessels were hit ana other bombs
fell on the Vittorio Emanuel, Mas
saniello and Bansoma Moles and
on the Toro di Mas and Aosta quays.
"Great fires, the length Of the
harbor area, sent q pail Of heavy
black Smkoe high above Naples
harbor," the communique said.
"Heavy anti-aircraft fire and q
large formation Of enemy fighters
were encountered directly over the
target area but they failed to inter-
fere with the bombing operations. "
At least two German Messer-
schmitt-109s were destroyed and one
American plane was shot down.
Despite the waves Of Allied bomb
ers shutting back and forth on
500-mile return trips from North
African bases to Sardinia, not q
single Allied plane was lost in yes
terday's raids In that theater.
Crews returning from all three
raids reported considerable sue
cess" Five German Messerschmitt-
zoos were shot down by the AIneri-
can daylight raiders, who concen-
trated the weight Of their attack
against Elnas airdrome at Caglia-
ria, where enemy aircraft were dis
perSed.
Big fires were started at the sea-
plane base where docks and hangers
were hit.
Wellingtons in Operation
The British raid on Sardinia
brought the first announcement
that the RATS big -notored
| (Wimpy) WellingtonS were operat-
ing In strength from North Africa
Little ground activity was reported
on the Tunisian front. American
planes, including Curtiss (P-40)
| Warhawks, made several sweeps
raiding enemy positions north OF
the Gaafsa- Maknassy road and east
of FL Guettar on the Gabes- Gafsa
road. One American plane was lost
At least two enemy planes were
: shot down during the American
raid on Naples.
italy admitted damage and said
casualties had not been ascertained.
It claimed four planes doWned, but
q Middle Eastern communique said
only one plane failed to return in
all of yesterdays operations which
included raids on Sicily and Axis
targets over the Tunisian-L ibyan
front.
Sardinia Raided
italy first reported an Allied raid
ON Sardinia, 500 miles from the new
Allied bases in western Libya but
only about half that distance from
Allied bases in northwest Africa.
The Italian communique said that
damage caused in the Sardinia raid
was mot grave" and reported three
civilians killed and four wounded.
1t said that four of the raiders were
downed.
Italy also agreed with the Mid
die Eastern command communique
on Allied raids on Sicily and re-
ported that a train was machine
gunned.
Raids in the Italian theater
ranged over a 300-mile front from
Naples TO CagliarI. chief city OF sar-
DINA.
Italy reported as regards land
fighting that Axis planes had raid
ed Alglers and that there was some
patrol activity aground.
The Allied planes attacked Naples
In broad daylight yesterday. and
italy admitted that they had drop.
ped many bombs.
In attacking Naples the big bomb
eFs struck at the chief reinforce
ment base for Tlinisla, further ham
perlng the Axis forces there Syait.
Ing an all out Allied assault
Naples had been brought within
$50 miles Of Allied MiddlS Eastern
based planes by Gen. sir Bernard
Montgolnery's capture Of Tripoll
and II was believed that the raid
was but q foretaste OF what was
IN store for southern Italy.
Even before the raid. Spanish ad-
vices from AlsierE had reported that
the Axis forces IN wunisla were
starting 10 feet the lack Of resu'
lar supplies, especially fuel, because
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