CLAIMS BY ITALY

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21205, 30 August 1940, Page 8

CLAIMS BY ITALY

BOMBING OF ALEXANDRIA ATTACK ON SUEZ CANAL BRITISH REPULSED (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received August 30, 3.15 p.m.) ROME, August 29 A communique states: Italian air formations bombed the Alexandria naval base and carried out long flights over the Suez Canal, between Port Said and Ismailia, bombing the northern entrance to Suez Canal, also the ferry service at Elkantara, whereby the railroad from Egypt to Palestine crosses the canal. Bands of Italian native troops occupied the British fort of Polignac, in the region of Lake Rudolf. We bombed the railway station at Khasamghirba, in the Sudan, and the aerodromes at Wajir and Garassa. British detachments attempted to raid Italian territory at the boundary between the Sudan and Eritrea. They encountered a detachment of Italian colonial troops, reinforced by Askari police, and were driven back after bitter fighting. The British managed to carry away hundreds of wounded but left behind about ten dead, in addition to several machine-guns and other weapons. The Italian losses were slight. Another strong British attack against Gallabat was repulsed easily.