IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 August 1940, Page 6

IN THE MIDDLE EAST

OVER 200 ITALIAN PLANES DESTROYED FIGURES OF ENEMY LAND & AIR STRENGTH. LIBYAN & OTHER ARMIES. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.45 p.m.) LONDON, August 19. An Air Ministry spokesman said the R.A.F. in the Middle East had made over fifty per cent more attacks than the Italians, with far fewer casualties. The R.A.F. had destroyed over two hundred Italian planes. These results were obtained more by superior training and better courage than by superior aircraft. British pilots were returning from battle possessing a supreme contempt for the Italians.

The Italians in Libya have about 530 planes, including 190 modern bombers and 120 fighters and a land force of about 250,000 whites and 25,000 to 30,000 coloured. In the Dodecanese Islands they have 30 fighters and 30 bombers and some seaplanes. In East Africa they have 170 aeroplanes, of which 25 per cent are fighters, and a land force of 200,000, including mechanised units.

BRITISH AIR FORCES ACTIVE IN SOMALILAND & ABYSSINIA. PETROL FIRE STARTED AT ADDIS ABABA. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.30 a.m.) CAIRO, August 19. A R.A.F. communique states: “We made numerous bombing raids and reconnaissances in British Somaliland with a view of breaking up convoys and motorised units and harassing troops advancing on Berbera. Considerable damage was done. We lost one plane, from which the crew baled out. “A direct hit was registered on four hangars and a petrol fire was started at Addis Ababa. All our planes returned.”