BRISK OFFENSIVE
ROYAL AIR FORCE ACTIVITY IN AFRICA & ISLANDS. DAMAGE TO ENEMY BASES & TRANSPORT. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.40 a.m.) RUGBY. May 19. A R.A.F. Middle East communique states: “A large formation of aircraft of the R.A.F. and the South African Air Force carried ■ out attacks on enemy tanks between Fort Capuzzo and Halfaya yesterday. A number of tanks were put out of action and serious damage was inflicted among many transport vehicles. “Our fighters carried out extensive patrols, but no decisive engagements resulted. During the night of May 16 aerodromes at Monastir and Birchleta were raided. Benghazi and Derna were also attacked on the following night by our bombers. Full details of these operations are not yet available, but it is known that considerable damage was caused. “During operations over Tobruk yesterday three Junkers 87's were shot
down by anti-aircraft fire. “In Abyssinia our aircraft have continued to assist our troops in mopping up operations. Attacks were made mainly on enemy motor transport retreating along the roads. “In Syria, bombing attacks were made on the Palmyra Aerodrome, where large German transport aircraft were the target, and on the Damascus Aerodrome. Kayak was also bombed and machine-gunned. “Raids were also made on the Raschid Aerodrome in Iraq. “A number of fires wore started al the Calato Aerodrome on the island of Rhodes, as a result of a raid carried out on the night of May 17. “During enemy attacks on our aerodromes in Crete, a Dornier X and another unidentified aircraft were shot down by anti-aircraft fire. “From all these operations one of our aircraft is missing.” OFFICIAL REPORT AMBA ALAGI SURRENDER. PROGRESS IN OTHER AREAS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.44 a.m.) RUGBY. May 19. A Cairo communique states: “In Abyssinia, after allowing the Italian forces in Amba Alagi one full day in which to collect their wounded, the formal surrender of the whole of the forces in that area is taking place today. It is estimated that the prisoners will number 7.000, together with con-< siderable quantities of guns and material. It .has further been arranged, in compliance with his urgent request that he should be the last to leave, that the Duke of Aosta, accompanied by General Trezzani and all the Duke’s personal staff officers, will surrender at noon tomorrow. ■'Units of the Sudan Defence Force, assisted by patriots, have captured an important position ii>.the Gondar sector. inflicting serious damage on the enemy and operations are proceeding! satisfactorily. ■'ln southern areas our troops cap- 1 lured Dalle, an important road junction 35 miles south of Sciasciamanna on May IG. As a result of this success-1 ful operation we captured 200 prison- 1
ers, including two colonels and a number of staff officers, two guns and two armoured cars. In other sectors our general advance is continuing, despite heavy rain. “There is no change in the situation at Basra and Habbania." A Rome communique admits the surrender of Amba Alagi and that the Duke of Aosta had been taken prisoner. It states that the British accorded the garrison full military honours.
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Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 May 1941, Page 5
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516BRISK OFFENSIVE Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 May 1941, Page 5
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