AIR ACTIVITY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 152, 9 April 1941, Page 5

AIR ACTIVITY

BALKANS AND EAST AFRICA.

ATTACKS BY THE BRITISH.

MUCH DESTRUCTION CAUSED. United Press Association.—Copyright.) (Roc. 11.35 a.m.) LONDON, April 8. , A Royal Air Force Middle East communique says: “In the Balkans a German military concentration was heavily ataeked by Royal Air Force aircraft during Sunday night at various places in Bulgaria. Tfiie railway station at Gorna Rjumaya was bombed, several fires being started. At Simitly concentrations wero attacked. Bombs straddling the railway and road, exploded near the sheds, causing many fires. A motor transport convoy was also successfully machine-gunned. Petrich was raided by our bombers hut the full results could not be observed owing to the smoko from numerous fires burning in that area. Yesterday, in bad weather ‘conditions, bombers escorted by lighters attacked large motor transport concentrations near Strumica, just inside Yugoslavia. Direct hits were registered and much damage caused.

“In Abyssinia aircraft of the South Africa Air Force continued to give support to our advancing troops.' The aerodromes at De,ssio wero heavily raided. Barrack buildings wero set on fire and damage caused to dispersed enemy aircraft. Enemy troops and motor transport concentrations north of the town were machine-gunned, resulting in the distraction of a number of lorries with many casualties. “It is now learned that in a raid carried out on the aerodrome at Kpmbolcha on Sunday, 10 enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground and two OR.42’sshot down by our fighter escort. The Royal Air Force bombers reported in yestei'day’s communique as missing have since returned to their base. “There were no losses from our opei’ations during the period under review.”—'British Official Wireless.