CAIRO REPORT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 July 1940, Page 5

CAIRO REPORT

AIR OPERATIONS IN AFRICA & MEDITERRANEAN LOSSES INFLICTED ON ENEMY. FLYING-BOATS DEMONSTRATE FIGHTING POWER. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day. 10.35 a.m.) RUGBY, July 29. A R.A.F. communique states: "Several reconnaissance flights were carried out over Eastern Libya by bombing aircraft, escorted by fighters. During one of these, a large formation of enemy fighters was met, and in a subsequent action one enemy plane was shot down. One of our aircraft is missing. "During another reconnaissance, two Italian fighters seen on the ground were attacked and both were destroyed by fire. “In Italian East Africa a bombing and machine-gunning attack was made on an aerodrome at Mille. One Italian bomber was totally destroyed and two others were damaged. French pilots and crews operated with the R.A.F. and carried out valuable reconnaissance work in the Diredawa area.

A Sunderland flying-boat, patrolling the Mediterranean, attacked three ships. The result of the bombing is not yet known. The Sunderland was attacked by three formations of enemy monoplane fighters, but maintained a running action throughout its return Hight. One Italian fighter was shot down in flames and another was driven down out of control. The Sunderland returned safely. “Another Sunderland on patrol was also attacked by enemy fighters, one of which broke up in the air. Another gave up the combat in a badly damaged condition. The Sunderland returned safely to its base. “Enemy bombers, escorted by a dozen fighters, raided Malta yesterday. Only slight damage was done. One of the enemy fighters was brought down by anti-aircraft fire and chashed into the sea.