R.A.F. AT WORK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 January 1941, Page 6

R.A.F. AT WORK

ATTACKS. ON NAPLES AND IN SICILY

{ MANY OTHER TARGETS BOMBED. ENEMY TROOPS IN LIBYA STRAFED. (British Official Wireless. 1 (Received This Dav. 12.8 p.m.) RUGBY. January 29. j A communique issued from the R.A.F. Headquarters in the Middle East states: "During the night of January 27 our bombers carried out a heavy raid on Cap Dichino, the Naples aerodrome. Bombs fell on a large buildings, setting it on fire, and other fires were started on the aerodrome. The central railway junction and marshalling yards at Naples were also attacked fires and a violent explosion being caused between the station and junction. On the same night the Catania Aero-i drome fin Sltily) was raided, bombs bursting on the main runway andj among buildings on the south side, i Fires were caused and one aircraft on| the ground was burnt out. Com miso j iSicily, was also visited and bombing* there started fires among buildings,! followed by six violent explosions! which were seen by our aircraft raid-I ing Catania. “In Libya yesterday, air activity was mainly confined to protective fighter patrols for our advancing troops and ground strafing of the retreating enemy between Dorna and Barce. On the Marluba landing ground, eleven S.79’s were found abandoned in an unserviceable condition. Three enemy fighters discovered nearby had: also been damaged by our earlier bombing arid machine-gunning of the aerodrome.

“In Albania, fighter aircraft on patrol in the Klispra area encountered a number of enemy aircraft and several were damaged. "An important railway bridge and railway junction west, of Karen, in Eritrea, were successfully attacked. General air support was given to our troops in their offensive in the Agordal area. "Aircraft of the South African Air Force on January 27 carried out raids in the Moyale area. Many high-explo-sive and incendiary bombs were dropped. The results were not fully observed owing to weather conditions. “Numerous reconnaisance flights were made on all fronts. From all the operations our aircraft returned safely. "A communique of January 27 stated that one of our fighter aircraft, operating in Libya, was missing. It is now known that the pilot made a parachute descent and was subsequently found with only minor injuries."