DESERT FORAY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 February 1942, Page 3

DESERT FORAY

MADE BY ROYAL DRAGONS FAR BEYOND BRITISH LINES, PRISONERS TAKEN & TRANSPORT WRECKED. LONDON, February 22. In Libya a patrol ol the Royal Dragoons has swept across the desert to a point 125 miles south-west of our advance lines. It took prisoners from among the Axis troops and wrecked transport. Other patrols engaged the enemy and after an artillery duel the enemy withdrew. Mekili is still strongly held by the enemy. Our land forces, with an improvement in the weather, again had fighter protecting throughout yesterday. When a force of German fighters were intercepted over Gazala Bay two enemy aircraft were destroyed. Malta had raids yesterday and on Friday night. Our fighters severely damaged at least one enemy bomber. In air operations in the Middle East three of our fighters were lost, but all the pilots are safe. > MANY ALERTS SOUNDED IN MALTA. SLIGHT DAMAGE DONE BY RAIDERS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.0 a.m.) RUGBY, February 22. Malta had eleven alerts during the 24 hours ending yesterday evening, according to Press messages. During four alerts on Friday night a small number of enemy aircraft dropped bombs, but there were no casualties or damage. Yesterday there were seven alerts. Enemy bombers were over the island and caused slight damage to civilian property.