FIGHTING IN AFRICA

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21187, 9 August 1940, Page 5

FIGHTING IN AFRICA

MUCH AIR ACTIVITY DAMAGE TO SHIPPING

(United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received August 9, 11 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 8 A Cairo communique states: “ All is quiet on the western desert frontier. Enemy movements, particularly motor transport, continue. In the Sudan there was an unsuccessful air raid on Atbara, otherwise all is quiet. In Somaliland, as anticipated, the enemy columns halted after capturing Hargeisa and Oadweina, and the air reconnaissance pilots report little movement around these places. In the area of Burao and to the east the situation is reported to be normal. • There is nothing to report in Kenya and Palestine. A Royal Air Force communique issued at Cairo states: There was considerable activity on all fronts yesterday. Many valuable reconnaissance flights were undertaken. At Bardia, in Libya, shipping in the harbour and store buildings were attacked, and one large building was demolished. While carrying out reconnaissance work in the Tobruk area on Wednesday one of our flying-boats was shot down. One of the crew was killed, and the other three were wounded and taken prisoner. In Italian East Africa the submarine base at Massawa was raided by Royal Air Force bombers on Wednesday and Thursday. Reports indicate that direct hits were registered on a naval vessel, the quay, and a submarine. All our aircraft returned safely. Enemy fighters approached Malta yesterday, but turned away before our fighters could engage them.