NAVY’S PART

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 125, 8 March 1941, Page 5

NAVY’S PART

IN ATTACKS ON ITALIANS. RAIDER BASE'S ELIMINATED. FIGHTING OFF SOMALILAND. (United Press Association—Copyright.; (Rec. 12.15 p.m.) LONDON, Mar. 7. “It is now possible to give some details of the naval support afforded " our army in Italian 'Somaliland during the advance, on the coastal area,” says an Admiralty communique. • “All the important Italian positions along the coast were bombarded by bur naval units, these bombardments being carefully timed to co-ordinate with the military advance. Military objectives at Kismayu, Brava, and Mogadisho were bombarded by our naval forces, and evidence secured by the subsequent occupation of these areas testifies to the effectiveness of these bombardments. ‘ “In particular, it. is now known that . the bombardments of the Italian positions in the Brava area, carried out in the forenoon of February 22, were conspicuously successful. Hits were scored >on military buildings and -positions, and enemy motor, transport - sheltering under trees were heavily shelled. It is known that this, bombardment caused great damage, and a large number ,of military casualties, and was an important factor in leading to the enemy’s evacuation of .strong defensive positions in this area. No damage or casualties were sustained by our forces in any of these bombardments. “One important naval result of the successful military operations in Italian Somaliland is that the capture of Kismayu and Mogadisho deprived the enemy of two important bases that were most convenient for the use of commerce raiders and their supply ships. That Mogadisho was used as a base for raiders and for their supply ships is shown by the discovery and releaso by our army of a considerable number of merchant seamen landed and interned in the Mogadisho area after their, ships had been sunk by enemy raiders.”