AIR ACTIVITY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 228, 9 July 1941, Page 5

AIR ACTIVITY

FRONTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

ENEMY AIRCRAFT DESTROYED. ATTACKS MADE ON SHIPPING. fUnited Press Association—Copyright 5 (Roe. 10 a.m.) LONDON. July 8. A communique issued by Royal Air Force Headquarters in the Middle East states: “In air operations over Libya yesterday fighter aircraft of the R.A.F. and South African Air Force inflicted considerable damage and casualties on enemy material and personnel. “At Bambut, six enemy aircraft were set on fire on the ground and enemy camps in the vicinity were heavily machinegunned. During these operations one GSO was shot down and several other German and Italian aircraft severely damaged. 1 “The R.A.F. bombers were active on Sunday night, attacking enemy aerodromes and harbours. Bombs were dropped on a merchant vessel alongside the mole at Tripoli (North Africa) and direct hits were obtained on the engine sheds, causing large fires and violent explosions. Another attack was «jnadc 0,1 Benghazi, where about 20 fires were started, being accompanied by explosions. Raids were also made on the landing grounds at Derna, Martuba and Gazala, and a successful attack was carried out on an enemy camp and other military targets at. Bardin. “In Syria, last night heavy bombers attacked the railway station at Aleppo, where bombs were soon to explode on the linos and station buildings. At Beirut, direct hits were made on. fuel tanks, and large fires followed. Both

those targets were also attacked the previous niglit. “A low-flying attack was made on “Vichy flying-boats off the coast of Syria and a number of them wore seriously damaged. Our aircraft also attacked the aerodrome at Baaloek and put heavy bursts into a number of Vichy Leo Z 45’s. Heavy explosions and large fires were also caused in a petrol -dump. At Talia, two large Vichy aircraft on the ground, and hangars on the aerodrome were machine gunned. Another Vichy aircraft, intercepted off the coast, was so severely damaged that it is not likely to have regained its base. “A number of enemy aircraft flew over Malta during Sunday night and dropped bombs, which caused a number of civilian casualties.. While the raid was in progress, one enemy aircraft was shot clown in flames by a patrolling fighter. “A number of Junker,s 88’s raided Nicosia (Cyprus) yesterday and dropped several bombs. A few civilians wore killed or wounded.

“From these operations five of our aircraft have not returned.—British Official Wireless.