TONS OF BOMBS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 February 1941, Page 5

TONS OF BOMBS

DROPPED ON TRIPOLI HEAVY DAMAGE TO DOCKS AND SHIPPING. OTHER TARGETS EFFECTIVELY RAIDED. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright ! LONDON, February 1. A Royal Air Force headquarters communique states: “During last night on' the docks at Tripoli (west Libyan capital) and several tons of bombs were dropped among ships and seaplanes in the harbour. "An 8000-ton merchant vessel was hit and set on fire, a 4000-ton vessel was also hit and another of 8000 tons was damaged. Bombs which burst among the seaplanes in the harbour destroyed one by fire and damaged others. "Other bombs straddled the southern mole and seaplane hangars, causing explosions which were followed .by clouds of black smoke. Several fires were started on the Customs jetty and railway. The raid was carried out in the face of intense A.A. fire. "The enemy aerodrome at Barce (east Libya) was again heavily raided yesterday by bombers and 'fighters. Hundreds of high-explosive and incendiary bombs were dropped. Bombs were observed bursting among the hangars. Other buildings and tents, and the barracks received a direct hit. Two aircraft on the ground wore sot on fire. Our fighters, which machinegunned the aerodrome, also attacked concentrations of motor transport vehicles there. One Cr. 42 was attacked by out fighters over Barco and chased and shot down in flames near Benghazi. “An Italian East Africa fighter aircraft machine-gunned four S.7B’s on the ground at Teranni and destroyed three. Transport yards at Assab were bombed. "From all the operations all our aircraft returned.' 1