IN MANY THEATRES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 May 1941, Page 6

IN MANY THEATRES

R.A.E AND FLEET AIR ARM IN AFRICA, IRAK & ELSEWHERE. WIDESPREAD & SUCCESSFUL OPERATIONS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day. 11.55 a.m.) RUGBY, May 16. A R.A.F. Middle East General Headquarters communique reports attacks on Nazi aircraft on three Syrian aerodromes. It states: “In Cyrenaica heavy attacks were made on enemy mechanised units, troops and concentrations in Cyrenaica. Yesterday, between Solium and Halfaya, the enemy was constantly harrassed by bomb attacks. Be-, tween Bardia and Tobruk, our fighters machine-gunned motor transport, causing considerable damage, and destroyed ammunition and petrol lorries. Our fighters engaged and damaged several enemy aircraft. “During the night of May 14, R.A.F. bombers raided Benghazi and Benina. Large fires were caused and ,a series of very heavy explosions took place. “In Abyssinia, in an attack on Amba Alagi, aircraft of the Rhodesian squadron carried out a series of raids. A fort at Toselli was attacked and ten direct hits were registered. Air support was also given to our troops operating in Central Abyssinia. “Gondar aerodrome was bombed by Free French aircraft. Some enemy fighters on the ground were severely damaged. “In Iraq, aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm successfully attacked the military barracks at Samawa. A large number of bombs fell inside the compound. “In Syria, German aircraft on three Syrian aerodromes were attacked yesterday. At Palmyra, three Junkers 90's, two other German aircraft and one Caproni 42 were machine-gunned. At least three of these aircraft were severely damaged and one other was burned out. Similar attacks were made at Damascus and Rayak. “In Greece. German-occupied aerodromes were raided on the night of May 14. Full details arc not available but preliminary reports state that large fires were started at the aerodromes and a considerable number of enemy aircraft destroyed. “It is now established that on May 13 ' two Messerschmitt 110's and six other German aircraft were destroyed over Crete by our fighters. i “Malta was again raided yesterday and on the previous night. Some slight damage was caused to R.A.F. property : and a number of civilian houses were ; destroyed. 1

“From all the operations under review. two of our aircraft are missing.” An Admiralty communique . states that H.M. patrol vessel Perfective shot down an. enemy aircraft during the night of May 14. The aircraft was sighted flying at about 200 feet and was instantly engaged. Tracer bullets were seen to hit. The engine cut out and the aircraft crashed into the sea.