Allied HQ, North Africa (July 15, 1943)
Communiqué:
During the last 24 hours, our ground forces have made considerable gains under the command of the 15th Army Group.
In the eastern sector, the newly-constituted British 8th Army has advanced some miles beyond Augusta, which has been firmly secured.
In the western sector, the U.S. 7th Army has captured another important airdrome and several dominating hill features.
Both British and U.S. airborne and parachute troops have carried out successful operations.
Since this campaign started, a total of at least 12,000 prisoners have been taken during the past five days.
Air Communiqué:
Port and railway communications at Messina were attacked yesterday by a strong force of heavy and medium bombers.
On the previous night, the bombers had attacked the same target. Very get damage was caused and fires were started.
Yesterday and during the previous night, medium and light bombers attacked the communications center of Enna. Road and railway communications throughout Sicily were also attacked.
Fighter-bombers again carried out many attacks on enemy communications and motor transport, destroying a large number of vehicles.
Our fighters operating from North Africa, Pantelleria, Malta and from Sicily maintained their patrols over Allied shipping, beaches and the battle areas, and shot down three of the small number of enemy aircraft encountered.
Intruder aircraft operated over southern Italy during the night. Night fighters destroyed five enemy aircraft.
Following attacks by our torpedo aircraft in the Tyrrhenian Sea, an enemy tanker was blown up, a merchant vessel as left in a sinking condition and a small tanker left in flames. One Ju 52 was destroyed in the course of the action.
From all these operations, three of our aircraft are missing.