R.A.F. ACTIVITIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 January 1941, Page 5

R.A.F. ACTIVITIES

IN LIBYA AND EAST AFRICA

DESTRUCTION OF ENEMY AIRCRAFT.

AS WELL AS BUILDINGS & MOTOR TRANSPORT.

(British Official Wireless J (Received This Day. 10.25 a.m.)

RUGBY. January 2

A Middle East R.A.F. communique* states: "During the night of December 31 R.A.F. bombers carried out raids on aerodromes at Trnimi and Gazala and further raids on the same landing grounds were made yesterday. At Gazala three enemy aircraft were destroyed and a number of others seriously damaged. All the bombs burst in the target area at Trnimi, causing tires and damage to dispersed aircraft. “Bardia was raided last night and, while all bombs burst in the objective area, details of the damage wore not observed. Dorna was attacked yesterday and one grounded aircraft suffered a direct hit and a number of others probably were damaged.

“In Italian East Africa Rhodesian aircraft destroyed a number of buildings near Sabberat, while other aircraft of tlie same squadron carried out a dive-bombing attack on enemy positions at Kern. 50 miles east north-east, of Kassala. Motor transport vehicles were destroyed, one very large lire was started and several anti-aircraft gum; wore silenced. From all these opera-: linns our aircraft returned safely." I FALL OF BARDIA — NOT EXPECTED IMMEDIATELY, j ACCORDING ‘l'o LONDON EXPERTS, LONDON January 2. j Authoritative military circle--:, re-; viewing the position in the Western 1 Desert, say there is no particular rea-l son for thinking that Bardia will fall I nr surrender immediately but British] preparations for the final assault arc! going steadily forward. The Italian garrison is virtually cut! rdf. though because of the great area to | bo covered by the British, odd small! parties might manage to escape. It■ seems certain that most of the garri-j son must eventually either fall to ouri arms or surrender, A general of the Italian Air Force has assured the Italian people that a group of Gorman aeroplanes is t<> assist Hie Italians in the basin of the Mediterranean.