SHATTERING BLOWS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 February 1941, Page 6

SHATTERING BLOWS

STRUCK AT ITALIANS IN ALBANIA TIRANA AND DURAZZO BOMBED. DAMAGE IN BATTLE AREA. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Dav. 11.10 a.m.) RUGBY. Februray 1-1. A communique issued from British Air Force Headquarters in Greece states: “The heaviest and the most successful attack of the campaign in Albania was carried out on the night of February 12 and yesterday by R.A.F. heavy bombers, which attacked aerodromes at Tirana and Durazzo in a night raid. Hangars and aerodrome buildings were hit and four twin-engined Italian bombers were destroyed on the ground at Tirana. ’ Yesterday concentrated and repeated attacks were made at Tcpelcne. on military concentrations around Buzi and in support of the Greek forces. At Tcpelene. direct hits were obtained on military buildings in the town and a number of fires were started. Bombs were dropped on a military camp north-west of Buzi. Havoc was also caused in a military concentration south of Buzi, fires being started among huts and buildings. Enemy fighters, attempting to intercept the Briitsh formations, were shot down in flames. “Elbasan was also raided and troop concentrations and buildings were successfully attacked. ATTACK ON RHODES AIR BATTLE IN ALBANIA. OPERATIONS IN ERITREA. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.40 a.m.) RUGBY. February 14. A R.A.F. Middle East communique states: "On the night of February 12, heavy bombers carried out an attack on the harbour of Rhodes. Several fires were started at the junction of the mole and naval harbour, which were still burning when our aircraft left the target. "In the Berat area (Albania) our bombers were intercepted by a forma-. tion of Italian monoplane lighters. Ini the ensuing engagement, two enemy I aircraft were shot down. Two of our. bombers failed to return from this operation. : "In Italian East Africa our aircraft, continued to give support to the Army I offensive at Keren. A considerable i quantity of bombs was dropped on ’ enemy troop concentrations near I Mount Amba. "Our fighters encountered a Jun-, kens 88 and a number of enemy fight-, ers over Malta yesterday. The Jun-* kers 88 was hit by anti-aircraft fire I and when last seen was losing height, with smoke pouring from one engine, { It is very doubtful whether it can havej reached its base. "From all the operations under review. with the exception of the two bombers already reported in Albania,, our aircraft returned safely." ITALIAN REPORT (Received This Day, 12.50 p.m.) LONDON, February 14. An Italian communique admits that the R.A.F. again raided Rhodes and also | Massawa. It says German and Italian j planes attacked Malta and that thei Luftwaffe intensively bombed enemy air bases in Cyrenacia.