AGAINST ENEMY IN IRAK AND SYRIA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 May 1941, Page 6

AGAINST ENEMY IN IRAK AND SYRIA

And m African War Theatres

MANY ATTACKS BY R.A.F. AND SOUTH AFRICAN AIR FORCE SUGGESTED FLIGHT OF REBEL MINISTERS FROM IRAQ LONDON" May 25. In Iraq, the R.A.F. bombed rebel positions five miles north of Basra and motor transport on roads in the Habbania area. Only slight damage was done when the enemy bombed and machine-gunned the cantonment at Habbania. Two of the rebel Ministers are now reported to be in Iran with their families and the family of the rebel leader, Rashid Ali, is said to have been sent to Turkey. In Syria, as well as in Iraq, the R.A.F. has been actively attacking German aircraft. At the Aleppo aerodrome one enemy plane was destroyed and many others were damaged, Planes also flew over Syria and dropped pamphlets signed by Colonel Collet, calling on French patriots to rally to the Free French cause. The only news today from the African battlefront is given in a Cairo air communique which states that in Abyssinia aircraft of the Free French forces yesterday bombed enemy troops and positions in the Gondar area. Bombers and fighters of the South African Air Force also successfully bombed and machine-gunned enemy positions and motor transport at various points. Direct hits were obtained on an enemy antiaircraft battery in the Lakes area.