ITALIAN CLAIMS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 223, 19 September 1940, Page 7

ITALIAN CLAIMS.

ROME STATEMENT.

"Stubborn Enemy Resistance Smashed." United Press Association.—Copyright. (Reed, noon.) LONDON, Sept. 18. A Rome communique states: "Italian and native troops are continuing their victorious advance. They have occupied Sidi Barrani and are organising a new base for communications. • Native troops have again shown their high quality and absolute loyalty to Italy. "We smashed, at all points, stubborn enemy resistance, backed by armoured divisions. Our air force participated in the battle, bombing and machinepunning the enemy. We shot down five Gloucester aircraft in flames, and probably destroyed a sixth. Four Italian 'planes have not returned. Torpedo Boat Sunk. "The enemy at night raided Benghazi, sinking a barge and • a torpedo boat, causing a few fires and slightly damaged a vessel at Derna, "Our dive-bombers, escorted by fighters, bombed Micaba (Malta), causing fires and heavy damage. They destroyed at least three grounded 'planes and shot down two 'planes which attempted to attack them. "Our bombers raided Bonia, damaging a small fort and set fire to an encampment. An Italian reconnaissance 'plane seriously damaged a British fighter which attacked it over Aden. Our 'planes destroyed one grounded enemy 'plane at Sarafsied, north-west of Gallabat. "R.A.F. Damage HoteL" "Tile enemy raided Assab. Massawa and Diredawa, where a hotel was slightly damaged. Anti-aircraft guns probably shot down one enemy 'plane. A Blenheim bomber landed by mistake at the Italian airport of Pantellaria. Three of the crew were taken prisoner. "The survivors of the 5800-ton British vessel which an Italian submarine sank in the Atlantic "have set out for Lisbon."