DUCE'S TROOPS POUNDED

Taranaki Daily News, 21 September 1940, Page 7

DUCE'S TROOPS POUNDED

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.

SEVERE BOMBARDMENT

Received 8.30 p.m. London, September 20. AfARSHAL GRAZIANI boasts that his army of invasion in Egypt has marched and fought with only a litre of water daily. However, despite Marshal Graziani's confidence, the Italians are suffering severely from the unceasing bombardment from land, sea and air, which is taking heavy toll of men and machines and playing havoc among the supply convoys. While the Italians are consoiidating their supplies they have not attempted to advance from Sidi Barrani. The bombardment by the three British services has been intensified. The Royal Air Force is now using planes of modern, long-range type, carry ing heavier loads over a long distance, and the bombing. of Benghazi was the first evidence of the Royal Air Force's new power. It is officially stated that Tuesday's fighting was much heavier than was at first reported. The Italians, pouring in to Sidi Barrani too rapidly, made their first blunder in an excellently organised march, Both the Royal Air Force and artillery caught them before they were ready and solidly plastered the congested troop carriers, supply waggons and tanks. The wreckage was too drastic to be yet estimated.

Light mechanised patrols simultaneously carried out manoeuvres in which they must now be world experts, cutting into the Italians with a series of high-speed hit and r.un raids. Bren gun carriers, spurting across the desert at 40 miles an hour, ploughed a furrow through an Italian column and then dashed off in clouds of dust. The Royal Air Force chose this moment for its deepest raids on Libya and for the first time made 1000-mile return flights to Benghazi, roasting the aerodrome with high explosive and incendiary bombs. The Royal Air Force now has a target along the coast from Sidi

t» ■■■ m m-m ta m m Barrani to Benghazi, and impartially by sun and moon is bombarding the communications which Marshal Graziani must keep up or fail. Marshal Graziani apparently has as many troops as he can handle in Egypt. He is concentrating on the supply situation, particularly of patrol and water, and tank waggons and barrel-laden lorries lumber across the dusty tracks. Raids on Dodecanese Bases. "Highly successful air attacks were launched on enemy bases in the Dodecanese Islands," said a Royal Air Force communique issued at Cairo. "At Maritza, in Rhodes, fires were started. Several explosions which were followed by large fires, were seen at ualato. Hangars, barracks, the harbour and a jetty were hit at Portolago ai.c' at Leros. A fuel store was hit and a fire spread along the coast. All our aircrait returned safeiy. "Continuous raids were launched against the enemy from the western desert. Aircraft wei*e set on fire and ouildings were hit at Tobruk and large concentrations of motor transports between Sollum and Sidi Barrani were set o* fire. A successful attack was made on about 50 aircraft on the ground at E1 Mimi. Bombs fell among the aircraft and severe damage was caused. Raids v.ere also made on Bomba, Bardia and a camp in the Capuzzo-Sollum area. One of our aircraft is missing. South Africans In Action. "Aircraft of the South African Air Force raided the aerodrome at Mogadiscio on Tuesday for the rixth time. All the bombs were dropped on hangars and buildings and many fires started. An attack was also made on Lavello, in Abyssinia. One enemy bomber, was destroyed and considerable damage to hangars and buildings resulted. Three raids were made by R.A.F. bombers on Kassala and one enemy fighter, which attempted to intercept, was damaged. Assab and. Diredawa were again attacked and fires observed." Another R.A.F. Cairo communique stated: "Enemy aerodromes, transport concentrations and communications were again successfully dealt with yesterday. Several hangars were destroyed. Planes were set on fire at Benghazi aerodrome and the flames were visible for 70 miles. Bomhs burst among Sidi Barrani gun emplacements. Flying-boat Shot Down. "An Italian flying- boet was shot down over the Mediterranean. The members oi the crew were rescued. Eritrean and Somaliland aerodromes and barracks were successfully bombed. South Afri-cr-n Air Force bombers attacked Elwak on Tuesday and yesterday and Birkao landing ground on Monday. where three buildings .were demolished and a wireless station set on fire with a direct hit." A Nalrobi communique states: "During the night of September 17 two raids were carried out by squadrons of the South African Air Force. Heavy bombs fell into the hangar and building area at Mogadiscio and a fire was started on the tarmac. This was the sixth time Mogadiscio had been raided. Lavello aerodrome in Abyssinia was also attacked for the sixth time. Bombs fell in an encampment and aircraft and hangars were damaged. Despite Intense anti-air-craft fire all of our planes returned safelv." "There is no change in the situation in Egypt," said a communique from British | headquarters at Cairo. "The enemy continues to consolidate his positions in the Sidi Barrani and Sollum areas. On the other fronts there is nothing to report."