RISING ACTIVITY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 June 1941, Page 5

RISING ACTIVITY

REPORTED IN NORTH AFRICA POSITION AT TOBRUK STRENGTHENED. MORE RAIDS ON BENGHAZI. LONDON, June 26. In North Africa there are signs of renewed activity. An Exchange Telegraph Agency message from Cairo quotes a high military authority to the effect that the recent British penetration over a wide front of the salient at Tobruk has shortened the British line and considerably strengthened our positions in this sector. Further successful air raids have been made by British planes on Benghazi and landing grounds in that area. One Italian plane was shot down and a number of others damaged. At Malta yesterday British planes shot down three Italian fighters into (he sea.

SUCCESSFUL ATTACK MADE ON WIDE FRONT. PROGRESS IN ABYSSINIA. (British Official Wireless.) I Received This Day. 10.40 a.m.) RUGBY. June 26. A Cairo headquarters communique states: "Yesterday our troops at Tobruk again made a further substantial penetration, on a wide front, into a salient held by the enemy in the outer defences of the perimeter, thereby considerably strengthening our own position in this sector. "Clearing up operations in the Jimma area in Abyssinia are nearing completion. South of Soddu the disintegration of Italian forces is continuing by bulk desertions of their African troops. "West of Damascus. British troops, in face of increased resistance, have made substantial gains. In the Merj lyun sector positions captured yesterday are being consolidated. In the coastal sector our artillery is now in action, in co-operation with the Royal Navy, in bombarding the defences of Damour.”