ATTACK ON BRINDISI.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 44, 2 December 1940, Page 5

ATTACK ON BRINDISI.

FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS CAUSED.

BOMBING IN NORTH AFRICA.

LONDON, November 30

The Air Ministry’s news service gives an account of air operations in the Middle East dnring Thursday night and the .early hours of Friday morning, when attacks were made on Brindisi, one of the ports used'by the Italians in sending troops and war materials t'o Albania. •

More than 26,0001 b of high-explosive and incendiary bombs mere dropped on military objectives. A stick of bombs burst in a line from the quays to fuel tanks in the south-east of the town, causing one fierce fire and several smaller fires, as well as a. number of explosions. Other bombs fell near fuel tanks and an; arsenal on the southeast of the harbour.

One stick of bombs straddled the main railway station in the south-west of the town, two more fires being started at the southern end of the quays. In spite of considerable anti-aircraft fire, the. attack was pressed home without loss or damage to the British aircraft.

In' the Western Desert raids were carried out at Sidi Barrani and Bomba. Direct hits were registered on military buildings at Sidi Barrani, and at Bomba bombs fell, in the camp. In Italian East Africa, dive-bombing and machine-gun attacks were made on Tessenie aerodrome. Enemy aircraft on the ground were damaged by machine-gun fire and bombs fell well inside the target area. Keren was also raided and individual attacks were made on railway stations. On Thursday aircraft of the South African Air Force carried out an offensive patrol over Gardulla. Accurate bombing caused extensive damage to administrative buildings, several fires being started. In other parts of the front, normal reconnaissances- were carried out by the Royal Air Force. From, all the operations under review, all the British aircraft returned safely to their bases. f Speaking of earlier action, the News Service says that on November _ 22, while aircraft of the South African Air Force were engaged in an offensive reconnaissance over Kismayu, they encountered Italian aircraft, and during the ensuing combat one enemy fighter was damaged and compelled to break off the fight, being apparently in difficulties. One South African aircraft was forced' to land in enemy territory, the- crew being taken prisoners.”—British Official W ireless.