Air Protection for Navy in Mediterranean

Manawatu Times, Volume 67, Issue 206, 29 August 1942, Page 5

Air Protection for Navy in Mediterranean

More Forward Aerodromes Needed (By Telegraph— Press Assn.—Copyricht.) Received Friday, 10.30 p.m. ALEXANDRIA, Aug. 27. The establishment of a new organisation to effect closer co-operation between air, surface and submarine forces in the Mediterranean was announced by Admiral Sir Henry Harwood, Commander of the Mediterranean Fleet in his first interview since he succeeded Admiral Cunningham. He said that adequate air support for the British Fleet was at present available for only a relatively short distance westwards of Alexandria. Geography and air power were the essence of whole naval power in the Mediterranean. The Axis air bases in Crete, Sicily, Greece, the Dodecanese and other islands, also along the Libyan coast, seriously and continuously threatened the British Fleet’s operations. Adequate air protection was essential for any successful normal operation, although there were times when it was necessary for warships to risk all to carry out vital tasks. The strong Allied air forces in the area were unable fully to protect the fleet and simplify its work until the Allies took Cyrenaica, thus providing more forward aerodromes. Admiral Harwood expressed the opinion that the Axis Powers had used air transports extensively, as well as ships, to reinforce Rommel. There was no way of knowing the quantities and types of Axis equipment and reinforcements reaching Egypt, but Allied ships were continually cutting at the enemy’s supply lines. The Navy was also shelling enemy shore positions when practicable. AIR RAIDS ON ITALIAN CONVOYS LONDON, Aug. 27. There is nothing to report of the land fighting in Egypt since the attack by the New Zealand troops on the central sector. Along the coastal road R.AJF. land United titates planes have attacked enemy supply vehicles successfully. The Rome radio admits that the Allies are continuing their raids on Italian convoys persistently. Referring to the position in Egypt tho Rome radio says that there is an 4 4 uneasy lull,” but the Axis will strike when it is ready. An Official Wireless message says that a highly successful attack on enemy transport on the coast road between Mersa Matruh and Sidi Barrani was carried out by long-range fighters on Tuesday. Hundreds of casualties were inflicted on the enemy troops, and vehicles of all kinds were destroyed. Troops in trucks were machine-gunned and shelled from a low level, and other lorries and tents were also attacked.