AIR ATTACKS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 January 1942, Page 3

AIR ATTACKS

OVER THE BATTLE AREA IN LIBYA AND AS FAR AFIELD AS NAPLES. GREAT DEAL OF DAMAGE DONE. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day. 10.12 a.m.) RUGBY, January 4. ' A R.A.F. Middle East communique states: “Throughout yesterday, our fighter aircraft made repeated sweeps over the Jedabaya area. A number of Messerschmitt 190 s were encountered, but the fight was indecisive. Other Messerschmitt 190 s were met to the north of the battle area, and this time our fighters succeeded in damaging a number of enemy aircraft without loss to themselves.

“Enemy motor transport was attacked on the coast road between Sirte and El Agheila, several petrol tankers being destroyed and many other vehicles damaged. The jetty at Ras el Aali was bombed and hit. Other bombs fell among despersed motor transport. “During Friday night, Tripoli was raided in very cloudy weather. Large fires which were started between the wireless station and the lighthouse burned fiercely for two hours. Themain quay and power station were also bombed. “Naples was raided on Friday night and hits were registered on a railway station and also on the main airframe factory. “Malta was raided by enemy aircraft during Friday night and again yesterday. During the day raid, our fighters shot down one Messerschmitt 190 and one Junkers 88 and several other enemy aircraft were badly damaged. “From these and other operations, two of our aircraft are missing.” ENEMY TANK LOSSES IN WESTERN CYRENAICA. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.10 a.m.) RUGBY, January 4. A Cairo message states that in ono engagement on the Jedabaya front three enemy tanks were destroyed and others were observed to withdraw on fire. In another action two enemy tanks and some vehicles were damaged and in still another action two enemy tanks and some vehicles were damaged and a few German prisoners taken . WELL TREATED NEW ZEALANDERS IN HANDS OF ENEMY. BUT FOOD SHORTAGE ACUTE. (From the N.Z.E.F. Official War Correspondent). CAIRO, January 3. The names of the units of the recaptured New Zealand personnel are not yet known, but it is believed that the headquarters of the Fifth Brigade are among those recovered from Bardia. The prisoners were well treated by the Germans, but as time went by the food shortage became acute. Several New Zealand officers, including the commander of the Fifth Brigade, Brigadier Hargest, M.P., were evacuated from Bardia by the Germans shortly after their capture.