R.A.F. IN ALBANIA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 March 1941, Page 6

R.A.F. IN ALBANIA

I VALONA EFFECTIVELY BOMBED DAMAGE DONE TO BUILDINGS & AERODROME. MORE ABOUT TEPELENE BATTLE. (British Ofl'iciat Wireless.) (Received This Day. 11,30 a.m.) RUGBY, March 14. The destruction in one engagement of fourteen enemy bombers, against no British losses, is recorded in an R.A.F. Middle East communique today. The communique states: “During an offensive patrol in the Tepelene-Kel-cyra area, in Albania, yesterday. R.A.F. fighters encountered formations of 79’s, escorted by over fifty fighters— Gso’s and CH 42’s. Although greatly outnumbered, our fighters immediately attacked and shot down fourteen —twelve being CR42’s and two Gso’s. A number of others were severely damaged. We lost no. aircraft. “On the night of March 12, our bombers attacked Valona aerodrome j and Asseno Island, off Valona Bay. considerable damage being caused to I buildings and the aerodrome. “The naval base and main quay at Tripoli were heavily raided on the same night. Bombs fell along the entire length of the quayside, causing fires and one very large explosion, near the lighthouse. A road junction and military buildings at Zliten (near the coast of East Tripoli) were also bombed. “There has been considerable air activity in and around Keren, in Eritrea. Motor transport, railway and road bridges and enemy troop and gun positions were bombed and machinegunned. In Abyssinia, aircraft of the South African Air Force have continued to support our advancing troops. “From all these operations all our planes returned.”

ITALIAN REPORT (Received This Day. 12.40 p.m.) LONDON. March 14. A Rome communique admits that enemy torpedo-carrying planes attacked Italian ships anchored at Valona and that one merchantman was damaged. also that raids were made on Tripoli, where there was slight damage, and on the Island of Rhodes, where bombs were dropped on several villages. GAINS IN ABYSSINIA (Received This Day. 1 p.m.) RUGBY. March 4. In addition to announcing capture, by Abyssinian patriots, of Yavell, in Abyssinia, reported officially from Nairobi last night, a Cairo communique states: “In Libya and Eritrea there is no change, but British troops in Abyssinia have occupied Asosa and Andare and are now advancing along the Mend! road. Continuing their successful advance from Burye, during which they have continued to inflict serious casualties on the retreating en-1 emy, the patriot forces have now reached the vicinity of Debra Marcos.”