ITALIAN VERSION

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21222, 19 September 1940, Page 8

ITALIAN VERSION

VICTORIOUS ADVANCE SMASHING OF RESISTANCE MANY SUCCESSES CLAIMED (Received Sept. 19, 3.15 p.m.) ROME, Sept. 18 Italian native troops are continuing their victorious advance, have occupied Sidi Barrani, and are organising a new base for communications, says the Italian communique. The native troops again show high quality and absolute loyalty to Italy. “We smashed at all points stubborn enemy resistance backed by armoured units,” the communique adds. “ The Air Force participated in the battle, bombing and machinegunning the enemy. “ We shot down five Gloster fighters in flames and probably destroyed a sixth, while four Italian planes have not returned. “ The enemy raided our port of Benghazi, sinking a barge and a torpedo-boat and causing a few fires. They also slightly damaged a vessel. “ Derna dive-bombers, escorted by fighters, bombed Micaba in Malta, causing fires and heavy damage. We destroyed at least three grounded planes and shot down two planes which attempted to attack us. Our bombers also raided Boma, damaging a small fort and setting fire to the encampment.

“An Italian reconnaissance plane seriously damaged a British fighter, which attacked it over Aden. “ Our planes destroyed one grounded enemy plane at Sarafsied, north-westwards of Gallabat. “ The enemy raided Assab, Missawa and Diredawa, where a hotel was slightly damaged. Anti-aircraft defences shot down an enemy plane, while a Blenheim landed by mistake at the Italian airport of Pantellaria, and the three members of the crew have been made prisoners.