R.A.F. ACTIVITIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 April 1941, Page 6

R.A.F. ACTIVITIES

IN AFRICA & BALKANS

ATTACKS ON ENEMY COLUMNS.

BASES BOMBED HEAVILY. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.40 a.m.) RUGBY. April 14. An R.A.F. Middle East communique states: “In Cyrenaipa yesterday, both bomber and fighter aircraft of the R.A.F. were employed in dispersing enemy concentrations in various areas. Successful bomb and machine-gun attacks were made on enemy motor transport convoys on the roads between Mersa Susa and Solium. “In the Balkans, a large number of sorties were made by our bomber aircraft yesterday against enemy columns moving on the roads in theatres of operations in Greece. Direct hits were obtained on these columns by most of our aircraft. A number of enemy bombers, escorted by fighters, were intercepted by our fighters in the Koritza area. One G5O was destroyed and a number of others were damaged. A Messerschmitt 110 was shot down west of Mount Olympus by one of our fighters. “South African aircraft carried out another successful raid on the aerodrome at Kombolcha, in Abyssinia. Two enemy bombers were burnt out and several other fighter and bomber aircraft were damaged in the attack, which also caused several explosions. During the night of April 12, enemy fighters and bombers flew over Malta. A number of bombs were dropped without causing serious damage. One Messerschmitt 109 was shot down by one of our fighters, which itself was subsequently shot down, but the pilot is safe. “R.A.F. bombers made an attack on the harbour of Tripoli during last night. Bombs straddled the Customs House, power station and shipping, and one large vessel was seen to be burning fiercely. From all these operations seven of our aircraft are missing, but the pilots of two are safe.”