ON LAND AND IN THE AIR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 February 1941, Page 5

ON LAND AND IN THE AIR

In All the African Theatres WITHDRAWAL TOWARDS BENGHAZI HASTENED MANY ENEMY AIRCRAFT DESTROYED The latest reports of the fighting in Africa, the 8.8. C. reports, give a picture of the Italian forces being driven back at ever-increasing speed, with the R A.F. pounding away at the retreating troops and sweeping enemy aircraft from the skies. Twenty enemy aircraft were destroyed yesterday.. The main Mediterranean Fleet has been cruising for four days within reach of enemy planes without having been attacked. The Italians are increasing the speed of their withdrawal towards Benghazi, chased by British forces. As they retreat through the mountains of Cyrenaica they are repeatedly attacked by the R.A.F. On Tuesday motor vehicles on the load were heavily damaged and the railway line was severed by three direct hits outside Barce Station. Two aerodromes at Benghazi were bombed. Buildings were hit and big flies started. One Italian bomber and one fighter were shot down and a flying-boat at anchor was destroyed. In Eritrea, British troops are increasing their pressure around Keren. In the south-west the Italians who are falling back into the hills, are being relentlessly pushed to the east. They are leaving behind them a trail of abandoned war material and vehicles. Hundreds of prisoners have fallen into British hands in addition to those already taken.

A fighter squadron attacked five Italian bombers on a landing ground. The enemy planes were set on fire and the bombs with which they were loaded blew up. Fighters of the Free French Squadron shot down an Italian fighter and destroyed a bomber on the ground. In North-West Abyssinia British forces are progressing towards Gondar and in Southern Abyssinia the South African troops are tightening their hold on the enemy positions already taken. Other forces are advancing in all sectors. One small force has taken an Italian post 45 miles inside the frontier. One South African fighter pilot shot down three Italian bombers in a single encounter. The squadron to which he belongs has accounted for ten enemy planes in the last two days without loss to itself.

In other air attacks in East Africa, three enemy bombers were destroyed in North-East Abyssinia. In a raid on Malta, at least three enemy bombers were destroyed and others were severely damaged. Some slight damage was caused.

From all these operations one British fighter and one bomber are missing.