NEAR EAST FRONTS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 3, 15 October 1940, Page 6

NEAR EAST FRONTS.

MANY SHARP ENGAGEMENTS. DAMAGE ON ENEMY POINTS. (United Press Association.— Copyright.) (Received This Day, 2.10 p.m.) LONDON, October 14. A Cairo communique issued on Monday states: “There is no change m the situation in Egypt. “In the Sudan on October 13 our mechanised patrols encountered and inflicted heavy casualties on 120 enemy astride the river Gash, 204 miles southeast of Kassala. On the same day our forward positions in the; Gallabat area were bombed with no damage or casualties. On the other fronts there is nothing to report.” An R.A.F. Cairo communique issued on Monday states: ‘ ‘Raids on Tobruk were carried out on the night of October 12-13 by bombing aircraft of the .'Royal Air Force. Bombs fell on the target, but it. was not possible to ascertain the full extent of the damage. “In Eritrea, a series of attacks was made on Gura on the nights of Saturday and Sunday. The aerodrome was subjected to a heavy bombardment, and considerable damage was caused. An enemy bomber attempted to raid Aden yesterday, but there was no damage and no casualties. One of our fighters on patrol intercepted an enemy plane, and as a result of the attack the central engine of the Italian bomber was seen to be on fire. One of our aircraft operating from Malta on reconnaissance was attacked by an Italian bomber which, however,. was quickly outmanoeuvred ■and damaged during the engagement. Our aircraft was later attacked by another Italian bomber, the rear gunner of which was probably killed and the enemy aircraft severely damaged.” “During this engagement the R.A.F. aircraft was attacked from behind by an enemy machine which was not identified. With the arrival of five or six ' other enemy aircraft the British plane ■ took avoiding action and continued its reconnaissance. Two successful attacks were made on Lavello aerodrome, in Abyssinia, by South African Air .Force squadrons during the night of October 12/13, and heavy and incendiary bombs fell among the hangars and aerodrome ’.buildings. A machine-gun post was quickly silenced. Other South African aircraft carried out numerous reconnaissances over enemy territory. From all these operations our aircraft returned safely.”