DIRECT HITS ON ITALIAN FORT

Southland Times, Issue 24244, 30 September 1940, Page 5

DIRECT HITS ON ITALIAN FORT

BOMBER SQUADRON OF ROYAL AIR FORCE

(Received September 29, 7.30 p.m.) CAIRO, September 28.

A Royal Air Force communique states that a Bomber squadron on Friday attacked Giarabub fort and many direct hits were scored. A large cloud of smoke arose later. Enemy fighters attacked the formation returning from the raid. One Italian was shot down and one of ours did not return. An attack was also made on a motor transport concentration 25 miles south of Giarabub. Bombs fell on stationary vehicles and many fires and explosions occurred.

A Nairobi communique received on Saturday says that successful attacks on Maji were carried out by the South African Air Force on Wednesday. Waves of aircraft bombed military buildings and aerodromes and direct hits were scored on buildings with heavy bombs, large fires being started. In addition numerous reconnaissance flights were carried out over Abyssinia and Somaliland. All our machines returned safely. NAZI PLOT TO DELAY SHIPPING COMMUNIST ACTIVITY IN U.S.A. CHECKED (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, September 27. Prompt action by the Ministry of Shipping resulted in the frustration of. a Nazi plot to delay the sailings from New York of foreign shipping in the Allied service. The National Union of Seamen had good reason to believe that the Nazi Government, working through its Consuls-General in America, was actively encouraging communist committees of seamen to stir up trouble among the crews of such ships. The British Ambassador, Lord Lothian, was instructed to place all available evidence before the American Government and missions were sent from Britain to deal directly with the situation.

It is understood that men who had been engaged for round trips from Britain were encouraged to leave the ships at New York and, through a loophole in the American maritime law, the ships were then prevented from sailing until certain sums were paid into Court. The situation became so serious that instant Government action was necessary. This has been taken, ensuring the prompt sailing of all ships.