AIR ACTIVITY

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 92, 15 October 1940, Page 10

AIR ACTIVITY

THE MIDDLE EAST

TOBRUK AND GIIRA RAIDED

FIGHT OVER MALTA

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received October 15, 2 p.m.)

RUGBY, October 14.

A Cairo communique issued on Monday states: "There is no change in the situation in Egypt. In the Sudan on Sunday our mechanised patrols encountered, and inflicted heavy casualties on, 120 of the enemy astride the River Gash, 20 miles south-east of Kassala. On the same day our forward positions in the Galabat area were bombed with no damage or casualties. On the other fronts there is nothing to report."

An R.A.F. communique issued in. Cairo on Monday states: "Raids on Tobruk were carried out on the night of October 12-13 by bombing aircraft of the R.A.F. Bombs fell on the target but it was not possible to ascertain the full extent of the damage. In Eritrea a series of attacks were made on Gura on the nights of Saturday and Sunday, Aerodromes were subjected to heavy bombardment and considerable damage was caused. , "An enemy bomber attempted to raid Aden yesterday but there was no damage or casualties. One of our fighters on patrol intercepted the enemy and as a result of the attack the central engine of an Italian bomber was seen to be on fire.

"One of our aircraft operating from Malta on reconnaissance was attacked by an Italian bomber, which, however, was quickly outmanoeuvred and damaged during the engagement. Our aircraft was later attacked by another Italian bomber, the rear-gunner of which was probably killed, and the enemy aircraft was severely damaged. "During this engagement the R.A.F. aircraft was attacked from behind by an enemy machine which was. not identified. With the arrival of five or six other enemy aircraft, the British plane took avoiding action and continued its reconnaissance.

"Two successful attacks were made on Lavello aerodrome in Abyssinia by South African Air Force squadrons during the night of October 12-13, and heavy and incendiary bombs fell among hangars and aerodrome buildings. Machine-gun posts were quickly silenced. Other South African aircraft carried out numerous reconnaissances over enemy territory. From all these operations our aircraft returned safely."