MANY ATTACKS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 June 1942, Page 3

MANY ATTACKS

MADE BY ALLIED AIRCRAFT ON ENEMY TROOPS & BASES. AXIS TRANSPORT HARRIED. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.52 a.m.) RUGBY, June 28. An R.A.F. Middle East communique states: “Both our own and the enemy air forces were active over the battle area yesterday. Our fighters made offensive sweeps and reconnaissances, together with low-level attacks on enemy ground, forces and landing grounds. In one of these attacks, on transport vehicles between Sidi. Barrani and Mersa Matruh, some troop transports were knocked out and enemy troops were killed. Another successful attack was made from a low level on aircraft on the Derna Aerodrome. Two Messerschmitts 109 were destroyed during these operations. “It is now known that, in addition to the figures already given, a further seven enemy aircraft were destroyed over the battle area on Friday. Night fighters and anti-aircraft guns shared in the destruction of a Junkers 88 on Friday night. Our night bombers, including United States Army Air Corps planes, struck in and around the battle area. On Friday night they bombed transport and tank concentrations between Sid Barrani and Mersa Matruh, causing numerous fires and explosions. On the same night Tobruk was bomb-

ed. Fires were started on jetties and an enemy supply ship off Tobruk .was bombed and machine-gunned and left at a standstill. “On Friday night our fighters destroyed one Messerschmitt and three Italian aircraft ovei’ Malta, while a further three Italian machines were destroyed off Malta yesterday. “Enemy bombers raided our positions near Daba. “Five of our aircraft are missing'from all operations.”