INCESSANT ATTACKS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 December 1940, Page 6

INCESSANT ATTACKS

ON RETREATING ITALIANS MADE BY R.A.F. BOMBERS AND FIGHTERS. OPERATIONS IN LIBYA AND EAST AFRICA. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day 11.20 a.m.) RUGBY, December 14. “Bomber and fighter aircraft of the R.A.’F. maintained incessant attacks on enemy aerodromes, troop and motor transport concentrations in Libya throughout Wednesday night and Thursday,” says the R.A.F. headquarters in the Middle East. A | particularly heavy raid was carried out on Tobruk during the night. Many tons of bombs were dropped on the town and harbour. Fires were observed burning fiercely in many places and violent explosions and fires near petrol dumps were seen from Solium Bay by our aircraft on their return journey. There was also a heavy explosion in the vicinity of ammunition stores.

“At Eladem, near Tobruk, hangars were seen completely gutted by previous raids. Aircraft on the ground were heavily machine-gunned. Heavy raids were also made on Bardia, bombs causing violent explosion in a stores dump, part of which was in flames rising a thousand feet. Enemy aircraft on the ground were machine-gunned, and three CR 42S were destroyed. “At Elmini one 579 war shot up and other aircraft were badly damaged. In all over a dozen enemy aerodromes and landing-grounds were raided and considerable damage was done. “Fighter aircraft patrolled throughout the day, covering our troops and pursuing and harassing the retreating enemy. Much mechanical transport was destroyed and troops on the line of communications were demoralised. “Aircraft of the Royal Australian Air Force added to their previous successes, shooting down three CR 425. “One of our eight-gun fighters attacked two S79’s single-handed. Despite the fact that the enemy bombers were escorted by a large number of CR42’s, one 579 was shot down and the other is believed to have been destroyed. “Two of our bombers and one fighter failed to return, but in view of the intensive operations it is possible that they are safe. "In Italian East Africa, lavello was raided for the ninth time on Wednesday by South African Air Force machines. One three-engined bomber was directly hit and exploded and two

others were set on fire Three more ' Caproni aircraft received extensive damage. ' “Aircraft of a Rhodesian squadron, co-operation with R.A.F bombers, carried out raids on an enemy camp at Gubba. Many huts were destroyed by direct hits and large fires were started which were seen 40 miles from the target, spreading rapidly. Motor transport workshops were attacked at Laoarre, near Diredawa, where two large sheds were bombed and set on fire. Enemy aircraft raided Pozreghed, causing some damage. One enemy aircraft was last seen flying low in flames.”