MANY HITS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 November 1941, Page 5

MANY HITS

ON ENEMY TANKS & TRANSPORT UNCEASING AIR ATTACKS. SUPPORT GIVEN TO LAND OPERATIONS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.35 a.jn.) RUGBY, November 27. A R.A.F. Middle East communique states: “Further effective raids on concentrations of enemy tanks, armoured fighting vehicles and motor transport in the battle area in Libya were carried cut by our bomber aircraft yesterday. In the neighbourhood of El Adem and Sidi Omar bombs burst among tanks and troops and, during attacks on one of the enemy columns a number of ammunition lorries were blown up.

“Other bombing raids, in which Free French bombers took part, were made along the Trigh Capuzzo road and in the Duda district. Many fires broke out when direct' hits were scored on a group of tanks, vehicles and troops and among scattered columns of motor transport. “Air support was given to land operations. Over the battle area our fighters encountered a force of Messerschmitt 109 fighters and shot down two of them. Other enemy aircraft were damaged. “Details are now available of aerial combats which took place over Sidi Rezegh on November 25. Four Messerschmitts 110, one 109, one CR42, two Gsos and two fighters were definitely destroyed, while many other enemy aircraft were badly damaged. In this engagement we lost two fighters. “Motor transport on the coastal road of the Gulf of Sirte were attacked by our bombers yesterday. Petrol tankers and lorries were either destroyed or put out of action. Enemy aircraft, which attempted to intercept our bombers, were driven off. “During the night of November 25 bombers attacked shipping in Benghazi harbour a direct hit being obtained on the outer mole. In addition to the two fighters mentioned above, five of our aircraft are missing.”

HIGH IMPORTANCE JUNCTION WITH TOBRUK FORCES. SUPPLY & OTHER FACTORS. (Received This Day, 10.35 a.m.) RUGBY, November 27. The announcement that New Zealanders have joined up with a force from the Tobruk garrison is regarded in authoritative quarters in London as of the highest importance. If, as may be expected, the junction is maintained and a breach in the Axis besieging line round Tobruk is widened, Tobruk with its sea communications, may become a valuable base for supplies for cur field forces, which at present are maintained by long lines of communications stretching across 200 miles of desert. Moreover the tanks from Tobruk are now available for the mlain battle in the Sidi Rezegh area.