AIR OPERATIONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 December 1940, Page 6

AIR OPERATIONS

IN LIBYA AND EAST AFRICA MANY BRITISH RAIDS. PREPARATIONS TO DEAL WITH BARDIA. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 12.25 p.m.) RUGBY. December 25. “Preparations to deal with the situation in Barclia are being steadily pushed forward, despite continuous air activity in support of the beleaguered garrison,” states a Cairo communique. It adds: “West of Gallabat, our patrols again inflicted casualties op the enemy. There is nothing of importance to report on other sectors.” “R.A.F. bombers yesterday raided the aerodromes at Timi and Gazala, in the Western Desert,” a R.A.F. Middle East communique states. “AH the bombs fell well in the target area, but the full extent of the damage could not be observed. “Our fighters maintained active patrols through the day, but no enemy aircraft were engaged. A large formation of enemy bombers, escorted by fighters, raided Solium, causing slight damage and a number of casualties. “In Italian East Africa, an aircraft of a Rhodesian squadron, while on a reconnaissance raid on Kassala, met an enemy fighter and shot it down in flames.

“Gunna was raided, bombs causing an ammunition dump to explode, and buildings were set on fire. At Heis, storehouses and dumps were attacked and considerable damage was caused by low dive-bombing. Numerous reconnaissances were also carried out with success. There was no loss of R.A.F. aircraft or personnel from all these operations.”