PUNISHING RAIDS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 July 1940, Page 5

PUNISHING RAIDS

MADE BY BRITISH PLANES IN AFRICA ITALIAN BASES SUFFER HEAVILY. BIG STORES OF PETROL SET' ON FIRE. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, June 29. A Royal Air Force communique issued in Cairo states: “Successful raids were carried out yesterday on Italian petrol and bomb dumps at Macacca, when low-flying attacks with bombs and machine-guns were made. “Five hours after the raid the main petrol dumps were still burning and others had burnt themselves out. “It is believed that the greater part of the petrol stocks at the aerodrome were destroyed. There were heavy explosions when the bomb dumps were attacked. Military huts close by were hit as well as the dumps and were extensively damaged and left burning. All our aircraft returned safely. “In the western desert effective raids were carried out on the El Gibbu aerodrome and bombs burst among huts and aircraft gathered round the refuelling point. A large petrol fire was started, causing a column of smoke to rise 1000 feet in the air. Photographs subsequently revealed that direct hits were made on aircraft and a tented camp and also on the refuelling point. The enemy was taken entirely by surprise, and our casualties were nil. “An enemy fighter and one Ghibh aircraft were reported to have been captured at Sidi Azeiz after being damaged by a fighter.’’ A message from Nairobi states that an enemy force supported by artillery made an ineffective attack on British Moyale at dawn. No British casualties have been reported. Malta reports that British fighters went up when enemy bombers flew over the naval base, resulting in one enemy being so badly damaged that it is believed it crashed into the sea. An Italian communique states: “In northern Africa an effective bombardment was carried out against enemy troop concentrations, and also aeroplanes and hangars were bombed, destroying 20 aeroplanes on the ground.” Reports reaching London from Alexandria indicate that considerable astonishment has been created there and not a little indignation by claims by the Italian High Command regarding an Italian air raid on Alexandria a week ago. in which two Egyptians were killed and 23 injured, and some damage was done to houses in the city. The Italians claimed this was “a most important exploit carried out with tremendous bravery,” and they alleged that the British Fleet was heavily bombed. The latter pretension has naturally surprised the Alexandrians, who are able to observe for themselves that the ships of the British Navy have not been hit.