Allied HQ, North Africa (July 12, 1943)
Few details are available of the work of the Navy during the past 24 hours. The task of disembarking troops and their supplies on all beaches continued according to plan. On the whole, weather conditions have improved, though the enemy’s interference from the air has been on a slightly increased scale.
Defended areas near the coast town of Pozzallo, 12 miles westward of Capo delle Correnti, and the railway line between Syracuse and Ragusa, were bombarded last night by our destroyers.
The surrender of Pozzallo was accepted by the commanding officer of a destroyer during early afternoon Sunday.
Our ground forces have continued to make good progress. During the course of the day, seven enemy counterattacks, which were being made with tanks, have been repulsed, and at least 2,000 prisoners have been taken.
It can now be stated the following major ports and towns have been captured by our forces: Syracuse, Avola, Pachino, Pozzallo, Scoglitti, Gela, Licata, Ispica, Rosolini and Noto.
The advance continues.
Allied Force Command Post Communiqué:
Enemy troop columns were heavily attacked yesterday in a day of intense fighter-bomber activity. Many vehicles were destroyed.
Heavy bombers attacked focal points of communications at Catania and medium bombers carried out raids on airfields being used by the enemy. Fighters maintained patrols over our land forces in the invasion area.
45 Axis aircraft were destroyed. From all these operations, nine of our aircraft are missing.
Communiqué from Valletta, Malta:
Malta’s night and day fighters destroyed 27 aircraft over Sicily and southern Italy Saturday night and Sunday when they again gave air cover to Allied invasion shipping at the Sicilian beaches. The enemy made more frequent attempts to attack our shipping yesterday. They used small formations of various types, including Ju 88s and Do 217s, but Spitfires maintained a ceaseless watch during the day.
Negligible shipping losses were undoubtedly due to the Spitfires’ interception of the enemy before they could aim their bombs.
Malta’s Beaufighters and Mosquitoes during nighttime destroyed three enemy aircraft, with two more probables. The Mosquitoes stood guard over enemy airfields in Sicily and southern Italy. A Ju 88 in the Naples area was attacked and was last seen with one wing afire. A piece fell off and the Ju 88 was probably destroyed.
Beaufighters at nighttime destroyed three enemy aircraft and probably destroyed a fourth. One wing of a Ju 88 caught fire after an attack and there was a huge explosion. A CANT Z.1007 Italian heavy bomber burst into flames and hit the sea, burning fiercely. The last victims were two Ju 88s. one was left falling into the sea with its engine afire. The other probably destroyed was hit by a Beaufighter along the fuselage and one wing was seen going down to starboard.
At dawn, Spitfires took over from Malta and resumed the supremacy over the Sicilian coast. Other Spitfires escorted U.S. bombers on missions over Sicily.
U.S. 9th Air Force HQ, Cairo (July 12, 1943)
Airdromes at Reggio Calabria and Vibo Valentia on the Italian mainland were attacked during daylight Sunday by Liberator heavy bombers of the U.S. 9th Air Force.
At Reggio Calabria Airdrome on the Strait of Messina, a base for aerial defense of the important Sicilian ferry terminal, great damage was done by high explosive demolition bombs. Hangars on the south and east side of the field received many hits and were left burning. Other hits were scored on barracks and among motor transport. Dispersal areas were well covered with bursts and a large number of planes were seen burning.
At Vibo Valentia, the middle and west hangars were set afire and smoke arose from the entire hangar area. A large three-engined aircraft was seen burning in front of the middle hangar. Serious damage was done to the administration buildings.
Strong formations of enemy fighters attempted to intercept our bombers. Of these, two were destroyed and two others damaged. All our aircraft returned safely.
U.S. Navy Department (July 12, 1943)
Communiqué No. 439
North Pacific.
On July 10, Army Liberator (Consolidated B‑24) heavy bombers and Mitchell (North American B‑25) medium bombers with Navy Catalina (Consolidated PBY) patrol bombers attacked four Japanese cargo vessels 280 miles southwest of Holtz Bay, Attu Island. One vessel was sunk, another was left in a sinking condition and the remaining two were damaged.
On July 11, a U.S. light surface unit bombarded Japanese positions at Gertrude Cove, Kiska, and Little Kiska Island during the morning. The enemy did not return the fire.
On July 11, an additional four Japanese soldiers were captured Attu Island.