R.A.F. IN LIBYA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 February 1941, Page 6

R.A.F. IN LIBYA

ATTACKS ON ENEMY TROOPS & BASES ACTIVITIES IN OTHER PARTS OF AFRICA. SOUTH AFRICAN INVASION OF ABYSSINIA. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day. 11.35 a.rn ) RUGBY February 3. A R.A.F. Middle East communique states: "Activity by R.A.F. fighters and bombers continued in Libya yesterday, particularly on the roads between Dorna and Benghazi. At Slonta. 25 miles south-west of Appolonia. troops and lorries were machine-gunned. Thirteen lorries were destroyed and heavy casualties were inflicted among the troops. Other machine-gun and bombing attacks were made on motor transport at Marana. and on the road between there and Gubba. At Appolonia, fighters attacked an aerodrome and destroyed four Italian planes. They also machine-gunned transport and troops, causing many casualties. At Cipene. ten miles south-west of Appolonia. a CR.42 was shot down by our fighters. "In East Africa, on February 1. aircraft of the South African Air Force bombed enemy emplacements. "In support of the Army offensive on Barentu. low-diving attacks were made by the R.A.F. on a fort and buildings which were hit by a number of bombs. Others fell among a concentration of motor transport and at least 50 vehicles were rendered unserviceable. “West of Asmara, another concentration of motor transport vehicles was attacked and direct hits were made on a road. At Agordat. our lighters shot down a 5.79 in flames.

"From all these operations our aircraft returned safely.” A Nairobi communique states: "South African forces occupied Elgumu and Gorai, two posts ten miles inside the Abyssinian border The Italians lost two officers and 43 Banda killed and three olficers and 50 Banda prisoners. Machine-guns rides and ammunition were also captured. Our casualties were very slight. After this success. the capture of Hobok, a post seven miles north of the border and west of Gorai. was reported. Active patrolling continues in other sectors.”