Corsica, 12/13 May 1944

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INCOMING MESSAGE

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FROM:

CO NORBS

TO:

CG SOS NATOUSA REPEAT FOR INFORMATION TO CG NATOUSA

REF NO THIS MESSAGE: N 1529, 14 MAY 1944

Cite BNCGT

Enemy aerial activity CORSICA summarized as follows:

On 12 May 2150 hours about 26 planes came over. Bombs were dropped on BASTIA, BORGO and PORETTA. Casualties: French 1 dead, 1 wounded; English 7 dead, 47 wounded. Some planes reported destroyed and damaged on the ground. Some enemy planes reported shot down.

On 13 May at 0410 hours about 20 enemy planes attacked ALISTRO. 2 small class 3 dumps hit and burned. Pipeline damaged in several places (since repaired). Casualties: French none; Allied 15 dead, 45 wounded. Some of our planes reported damaged on ground. 2 enemy planes reported shot down.

This information compiled from French and Base Section sources and may be at variance with final.

MC IN 8812

U.S.

SECRET EQUALS BRITISH MOST SECRET

COPY NO. 33

THE MAKING OF AN EXACT COPY OF THIS MESSAGE IS FORBIDDEN

From Luftflotte 2 (Roman) IC on 13/5:-

Own ops night of 12–13/5.

115 a/c in concentrated attacks on strongly occupied a/f's at Borgo-poretta and Alistro (04 East – 9336 04 East – 9359). Very good results from attack … (smudge) … complete surprise for the enemy.

A/F Borgo-Poretto [sic], 16 to 18 a/c — fires and explosions. About 80% of the parked a/c were damaged, of which at least 25% were a total loss.

Alistro a/f, 10 large fires, many smaller fires with explosions.

Our losses nil.

OB SüdwestMorning Report 13.5.44

III. Air Situation

Our own bomber formations attacked two airfields on Corsica. Both attacks came as a surprise. Major fires and explosions were caused, such that a considerable loss of enemy aircraft may be expected.

Luftflotte 2 reported evening 23rd that according P/W statments one Geschwader of Mitchells had heavy losses in aircraft and personnel in night attack on airfields in Corsica on night 12th to 13th May (Fair indications that P/W was from Lightning shot down from a formation approaching Upper Italy on 23rd).