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LOSS OF AIR
TRANSPORTS "
Explanation of
Accident
WASHINGTON; 'Mar. 24 (A.A.P.)
The United States Secretary for
War (Mr. Stimson), at a press
conference denied reports . from
abroad that the American Air
Force : operated separately, from'
the joint army and: .navv - 'com-
mand in Sicily last summer; when
Navy' : . anti-aircraft /guns , shot
down 23> 'American'.;, .transports
carrying paratroops. ' !
Mr. Stimson asserted that the
Allied operations in Sicily - wore
co-ordinated under a .unified
command. The accident resulted
from a.combinatiori of circum
stances, including the fact that
enemy planes by a. coiricldence
dropped bombs at the same time.
He added that a number of com
mentators and critics in the
United States had picked up an
erroneous report, which resulted
in a general misunderstanding
and unwarranted criticism of the
Sicilian operations.
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