CLASH IN EGYPT

Taranaki Daily News, 18 September 1940, Page 7

CLASH IN EGYPT

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.

HARASSING ATTACK MET HEAVY LOSS SUFFERED

Received 11.15 p.m. • _ Cau-o, September 17. TTALIAN forces, using picked motorised units as a spearhead, » continued to push eastward from Buqbuq to-day despite serious losses. German experts are assisting Marshal Rodolfo Graziani, Italian commander. Many native Libyan units are included in the forces that are consolidating their positions at Sollum. The Italians who are following the coastal road have no reason to pause at Buqbuq, which is at present depopulated and is without water. "Royal Air Force bomber and fighter forces were active m Libya and the western desert area yesterday," said a Royal Air Force communique issued at Cairo yesterday. Our fighters shot down six enemy bombers, a loss which has been confirmed, and probably three others. One of our aircraft failed to return. Last night a large motor transport column was successfully attacked near Buqbuq. Numerous petrol fires were started and were well visible 100 miles away. An enemy vehicle column moving eastwards along the track east of Buqbuq was bombed yesterday. Bombs were observed to fall on the column, and jnany fires could be seen 40 miles away. "Enemy aircraft attacked one of our aerodromes without result and did not do any damage. In two enemy raids on Malta immaterial damage was caused, and an enemy dive bomber was -damaged by our fighters. In Eritrea a Royal Air Force bomber attacked the Assab naval barracks and fires were started. Direct hits were registered on hangars and buildings at Gurra, and in a further attack on the Adiveri and Gurra aerodromes hangars and buildings were set on fire, the blaze being visible 50 miles away. In spite of poor weather Asmara was attacked, ahd two big fires were started in the aerodrome buildings. A 79 which attempted to raid Aden was intercepted by our fighters and damaged."