LIMITED ATTACK BY AĹIED FORCES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 176, 28 July 1942, Page 5

LIMITED ATTACK BY AĹIED FORCES

EL ALAMEIN FRONT

R.A.F. And U.S. Bombers Strike At Enemy Bases

British Official Wireless

Rec. 1.30 p.m

RUGBY, July 27.

General Auchinleck's forces again attacked in the northern sector of the Alamein front on Sunday night. Fighting continued all to-day. These operations are reported to be of a limited nature. The Allies are known to have gained ground and taken some prisoners, but additional details are awaited. The desert front is quiet elsewhere with isolated shelling, also the usual patrols. The British United Press Cairo correspondent says that the comparative lull in other sectors should not be considered a stalemate. Both sides are strenghtening their positions and feeling out the opposing strength.

An earlier Cairo communique stated: "Except for patrol activity yesterday, there was nothing to report from the land forces. Low clouds and dust storms prevented air operations in the battle area by day, but a Junkers 88, which approached Alexandria, was shot into the sea by fighters.

"Our long-range fighters again successfully attacked barges off Sidi Barrani. Tobruk was heavily attacked during the night. Fires and explosions were started in the dock area and a direct hit on the target was followed by a big explosion. Heavy attacks were also carried out in the battle area."

Heavy and medium bombers of the R.A.F. and of the United States Army Air Force carried out a raid on shipping and harbour installations at Tobruk on Saturday night and large fires broke out. The same night medium bombers of the R.A.F. and naval aircraft, attacked enemy camps, concentrations and motor transport in the coastal area westward of El Daba.

Enemy landing grounds were also bombed, including the aerodrome at Heraklion, Crete, where bombs were seen to burst on runways and dispersal areas. One enemy aircraft that was taking off burst into flames and crashed. At least six other aircraft were set on fire.

Operations in the battle area on Sunday were hampered by low clouds. However, in the afternoon R.A.F. fighters destroyed a German reconnaissance bomber off the Egyptian coast. Other fighters, behind the enemy lines, successfully attacked a number of barges and flakships, sinking one. Enemy air activity over Malta on Saturday and Sunday was on a small scale. One enemy plane was shot down by fighters and others were damaged. From these and other operations two of our aircraft are missing.