SERIES OF RAIDS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21212, 7 September 1940, Page 9

SERIES OF RAIDS

ITALIANS CLAIM SUCCESS ALLEGATIONS OF COWARDICE DAMAGE TO CONVOY (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 7, 12.5 p.m.) ROME, Sept. 6. A communique states: Two air raids on Malta were carried out on September 5. The first, which was in the nature of a reconnaissance, was entirely successful, because the British fighters preferred to withdraw from the combat. « Italian escort fighters damaged two British planes. The second air raid occurred in the afternoon. Dive-bombers arrived unexpectedly and partially destroyed Fort Delimara and set fire to an oil dump. Neither anti-aircraft guns nor British fighters went into action. Untiring Italian aviation again overtook the convoy which was so effectively bombed on September 3, and seriously damaged a cargo vessel. Another ship, which perhaps was hit on September 3, was seen beached on. its side. Our planes bombed oil dumps at Suez and surprised motorised units on a road near Solium. All the Italian planes returned safely. Air formations attacked an enemy convoy in the Red Sea and seriously damaged two ships.

They also bombed other vessels anchored at Aden. The Italian planes returned home despite attacks from enemy fighters, dne of which was shot dov/n. Another Italian formation successfully bombed two troop encampments in the neighbourhood of Achir, in the Upper Sudan.

The enemy again bombed Assab. resulting in four being killed and eight wounded among the colonial troops.

Enemy planes again raided Turin, arriving as usual from Switzerland They damaged private houses and demolished the upper floors of a building in a popular quarter of San Paolo. The tenants had to take refuge, but were not hurt.

Several railway cars were set on fire. Other bombs were dropped in open country outside the city. No damage was done.