WESTERN DESERT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 8, 21 October 1941, Page 6

WESTERN DESERT

ENEMY BOMBS AT TOBRUK. , BRITISH PATROL’S SUCCESS. ITALIAN PARTY WITHDRAWS. (Rec. 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 20. A communique issued by British Headquarters at Cairo states: “At Tobriik during Saturday night there was hostile air activity. After dark yeStOTdfiy eVehing, however, 10 boinbs wUtd dropped ih tile town area without causing any appreciable damage, Yesterday in one south-west sector a British patfol which had successfully concealed itself in file open inflicted considerable casualties on a large Italian working party which it approached unawares. The Italians withdretv in confusion, but. owing to the exposed position occupied by our patrol pursuit Was not possible. An enemy patrol of three armoured cars was sighted by one of our patrols some distance north of Maddalena, but it Withdrew at great speed before it Could be engaged. Operating from Nafaya enemy artillery attempted to interfere With the movement of our mechanised patrols, which later ' successfully completed their reconnaissance of the area Without sustainihg any loss.”—British Official Wireless.

BOMBING RAIDS ON BENGHAZI.

AN6THfi.fi ATTACK ON i\ 7 - • • » o- • • ' ' . * MORte OB.tECfttftS IN SUBTLY. (Rec. 11.15 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 20. A Royal Air Force Middle East communique says: “R.A.F. heavy bombers raided Benghazi harbour on Saturday night. Explosions occurtfed at the base of the Cathedral Mole, WheTO- a large fire, believed to have been caused by the ignition of a petrol store, broke, out. Other fires were started oh the Juliana Mole. Naval aircraft bombed an enemy dump at Solium. Yesterday medium bombers attacked enemy landing grounds in Libya. At one of the objectives several hits were scored an the fort.

“On Saturday night, our .aircraft continued to attack four destroyers which had been raided during the previous night, when two vessels of about 5000 and 0000 tons were torpedoed and a third of about 4000 tons was hit. Three hits with torpedoes brought the largest merchantman to a standstill and set it on fire. The second ship was probably damaged. “A munition factory and powerhouse at Licata, in Sicily, were bombed yesterday, and the aerodrome at Comiso was also attacked. One* enemy aircraft was destroyed on the ground during the raid on Trapani aerodrome reported yesterday. “From these and other operations one of our planes is missing.’’—British Official Wireless.