OFFICIAL REPORTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 January 1941, Page 5

OFFICIAL REPORTS

PRISONERS IN BARDIA INTENSE AIR ACTIVITY. TOBRUK SUFFERS HEAVILY. (British Official Wireless.i i Received This Dav. 10.55 a.m.) RUGBY. January 0. A General Headquarters Cairo communique states: “While the clearance of the battlefields in the Bardia region is progressing, advanced elements of our forces are now approaching the Tobruk area. Prisoners counted in Bardia number over 30.000. with quantities of tanks, guns, equipment and stores of all sorts.

"Patrolling activity continues on the frontiers of the Sudan and Kenya." A R.A.F Middle East communique : says: “With increased enemy activity] over Eastern Libya yesterday, fighter; aircraft of the R.A.F. were engaged in several combats. As a result, eleven enemy aircraft —seven CR 42’s and four S 79’s— were destroyed, while a; number of others were badly damaged. "Bombing activity throughout yes-j lerday and on the previous night was concentrated on Tobruk. Numerous,' raids were made, during which many tons of bombs were dropped on mili- ' tan' buildings, naval barracks and the ■ I town's defences One very large fire w.o ; ; •started and was visible from Bardia, a | distance of about nxty miles. Subse-: ’ quent aircraft dropped bombs into the i | centre of this fire, considerably m- : | creasing its area. ■ “hi Italian Eiot Africa, a :.,.d was i made on tiu* naval ba-<- of Massawa - i and bombs fell in the target aro.i “From all operations, including num- >' i erous rec. :.n:s".,ro" >nr airciufl re-: | turned safely." ( i