4000 LB. BOMBS ON TOBRUK

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 263, 5 August 1942, Page 5

4000 LB. BOMBS ON TOBRUK

Allied Air Raids LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN DESERT WAR (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) LONDON, August 3. . A Cairo message says that Halifax bombers loaded with two-ton bombs are carrying out nightly operations over the Egyptian battlefront, in conjunction with United (States Liberators and R.A.F. Wellingtons. General Auchinleck’s patrols were increasingly active today, probing Rommel’s defences, says the Cairo correspondent of the “Daily Express.” British artillery shelled enemy positions while the scouts sallied out. The Cairo correspondent of the “Daily Mail” says that while the lull continues in ground fighting the most important part of the British offensive operations will be air attacks against Tobruk and heavily-laden supply barges. Rommel is using shallowdraft 'barges to supplement his motor transport. For the past week the R.A.F. has been attacking barges creeping along the. Egyptian coast. This barge route has been selected as the easiest link in Rofmmel’s supply line to attack. One barge sunk equals many lorries destroyed. Turkish reports say that fresh German troops and equipment destined for Rommel are arriving daily in Greece. Relentless Bombing. Yesterday fighter-bombers were active in the forward area at El Alamein, An enemy reconnaissance unit, which included a number of motor and armoured vehicles, was located near Rai el Qattara,' and effectively attacked, says the R.A.F. (Middle East) news service. The enemy were taken by surprise, and as a result of bombing and subsequent ground strafing, some 20 vehicles were destroyed or damaged and a petrol dump set on fire. In the southern sector a dug-in enemy headquarters was raided, but the result of the attack could not be observed. Meanwhile, in the central sector, operations were curried out against groups of motor transport. Direct hits and damaging near.misses were obtained. .Tobruk was again the principal objective for bomber aircraft on the night of August 1-2. Fires broke out among petrol installations, and bombs were seen to fall close to ships in the port. Our aircraft also raided objectives at Solium, Bardia, Sidi Barrani, and Mersa Matrub. At Solium a ship was set on lire, and was later reported to have blown up. A large fire was started at Bardia, naval aircraft assisting in this raid. Direct hits were scored on the jetty and on a lighter beside it. Other aircraft bombed the landing ground at Fuka. A successful dusk attack was carried out on a lighter off the Egyptian coast.

A small force of enemy aircraft operated over the Alexandria area on the night of August 2-3. Our night fighters shot down a Heinkel 111 into the sea, and two of the crew were seen to bail out.