THE SYDNEY’S FEAT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 246, 25 July 1940, Page 5

THE SYDNEY’S FEAT.

; ITALIAN CAPTAIN SURPRISED. ’ “SUNK SOME TIME AGO.” 1 (Received This Day, 10.40 a.m.) ALEXANDRIA, July 24. "When the captain of the Bartolomeo Colleoni was carried into the cabin of the hospital ship where he died, lie asked what ship had destroyed his vessel “The Sydney” was the reply. The captain was greatly surprised, and declared that the Sydney was among the ships which the Italians believed had been sunk some time ago.

SOUTH AFRICAN SUCCESS. MILITARY FORMATION BOMBED. TWO MERCHANTMEN DAMAGED. (Received This Day, 9.5 a.m.) CAIRO, July 24. . A communique states: “South African bombers attacking a military formation on tho border of Kenya damaged lorries and machine-guns. Others scored hits on Diredawa aerodrome- and surrounding buildings, seriously damaging the hangar. “A Sunderland flying-boat attacked an enemy convoy comprising three merchantmen, three tankers and one destroyer, seriously damaging two merchantmen. Further enemy losses of motor - lorries and guns near Capuzzo were reported yesterday. Motorised detachments of the Somaliland Camel Corps continued active patrols in Somaliland. Many Italian frontier posts have now been successfully raided and identifications and information obtained.” A Royal Air Force communique says: We successfully bombed Tobruk harbour on Monday night, causing four explosions by direct hits at the submarine jetty, at which some submarines were moored. The Royal Air Force also attacked El Gubbi and El Aden aerodromes. One of our planes is missing. A low bombing attack considerably damaged Umnhagar aerodrome, in Italian East Africa. An enemy fighter crashed when trying to intercept our bombers during another raid in the Massnwn area. All our "planes returned.

REPORT BY ITALIANS.

BOMBING OF OIL DEPOTS.

TWO BRITISH FIGHTERS DOWNED

(Received This Day. 0.35 n.m.) ROME, July 24

A communique states: “An Italian air formation bombed oil depots at the naval base at Malta, despite violent reaction by British anti-aircraft batteries. Large fires occurred. Two British Gloucester fighter ’planes were shot down in an aerial combat in North Africa.'’