WESTERN DESERT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24417, 1 October 1940, Page 7

WESTERN DESERT

THE FIGHTING IN EGYPT BRITISH AIR ACTIVITY FREE FRENCHMEN ASSIST 'British Official Wireless) (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph--Copyright) RUGBY. Sept. 29. A Royal Air Force Cairo communique states that enemy air activity over the Western Desert on Saturday was slight R.A.F bombers made an attack on an enemy lorry convov 15 mile? west of Bardia A salvo of bombs fell a few vards ahead of the leading lorry. The enemy positions al Fori Maddalena were bombed, and mechanical transport concentrations south-west of Sidi Barrani were also attacked all the bombs falling in the target area In Abyssinia the Combolcia (Desste) aerodrome was attacked, and direct hits were obtained on the hangar the doors of which were blown off. Bombs also exploded adjacent to a barracks compound Operating from the Sudan. R.A.f bombers raided Gurall bombs falling in the target area It was impossible to estimate at the time the amount of the damage. Reconnaissance flights were undertaken bv the South African Air Force squadrons on Friday and Saturday From all the operations our aircraft returned safeiv In Kenya on Fridav enemy aircraft bombed Bura causing no casualties. A patrol engagement at Wal Garis resulted - .n 12 of the enemy being killed Australian troops are m the Western Desert. Thev are completing their training there preparatory to joining the British, Indian and French troop? in operations against the Italians. It can now be stated that a Free French Legion has been serving in the Western Desert where it lias given valuable assistance to the British forces during the Italian advance. This force, which includes some Spahis, is stated to be truly representative of the French Empire in the Middle East, and has a reserve still in Egypt which will take its place in the field when its training is completed. There are also a number of Frenchmen serving with the R.A.F. The Daily Telegraph’s correspondent with the British forward brigade in Egypt, revisiting this position. which was closed for some months, found improvement and extensions of the defences which seem to make them completely impregnable. He noticed unmistakable evidences of the strengthening of the whole of the Egyptian defences during a 200-mile journey across the desert