SHELLED BY NAVY

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 285, 1 September 1942, Page 5

SHELLED BY NAVY

Axis Tank Repair Shops

At El Daba (Received August 31, 7 p.m.) LONDON, August 30.

British destroyers rained shells on tank repair workshops and store dumps at El Daba, 30 miles behind the enemy lines iu the early hours of this morning, according to an agency correspondent on board a British destroyer iu the eastern Mediterranean. An enemy torpedo boat was sunk during the operations. The bombardment lasted for threequarters of an hour, iu which time many tons of high explosives were accurately lobbed into the target area. More than 50 Italian and German di.e-bombers attacked one destroyer while she was returning to her base. Hundreds of bombs dropped and the decks were repeatedly machinegunned. Even the German shore batteries joined in the attack, which was unparalleled since the assault on the Illustrious. , .. . Nothing is known in authoritative circles in London Of an Italian report that a small British force attempted to laud on Antikythera Island, 25 miles north-west of Crete, on August 28, but tied on the intervention of the defences. Such a force may have landed, but it is considered that the operation would be of relatively minor importance. Air activity over the El Alamein area has shown a gradual increase, particularly in night operations, during the past few days. Naval aircraft attacked shipping near El Daba and claim to have sunk a U-boat.

A fierce British artillery duel near Ruweisat Ridge soon after sunset on Friday preceded British moonlight raiding excursions, reports Reuter’s correspondent on the El Alamein front. One party engaged members of the German parachute regiment who were fighting beside German and Italian infantry. Casualties were inflicted on the paratroops in hand-to-hand bayonet, tommygun and grenade fighting.

MALTA PASSES 800 MARK

Axis Planes Destroyed

LONDON, August 31.

Malta has passed the 800-mark in enemy aircraft destroyed since the war began. The island’s fighters and anti-aircraft defences shot down 37 planes in August, making a grand total of 810.