AIR ACTIVITY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 156, 3 July 1940, Page 8

AIR ACTIVITY.

R.A.F. IN AFRICA.

Oil Refinery In Sicily Set On Fire.

ITALIANS ALSO BUSY,

United Press Association. —Copyright.

(Rwelv.xl 1.30 p.m.)

CAIRO, July 2.

An R.A.F. communique, issued in Cairo, states: "Our 'planes are pressing home an attack against, Gondar, Abyssinia, despite heavy anti-aircraft tire. We set tire to one bomber and .-<■rn.ii.-ly damaged five others. We jil.-o set fire to buildings near the hangars. We had no casualties.

"A formation of boinlws raided an oil refinery and oil tanks at Augusta. Sicily. The refinery was set on tire. Direct hits were secured on an enemy lorry convoy and two gun positions in the Moyale area. Enemy 'planes visited Said: Barrani. There were no casualties and no damage."

An Italian communiquie states: —"On the Cyrenaica border an Italian 'plane bombed enemy armoured cars, setting fire to and damaging some. Two Italian 'planes did not return.

"The Italian Air Force surprised repeatedly and very effectively bombed big enemy convoys .in the south-east Mediterranean.

"In the Fast Africa region Italian 'planes effectively bombed porta and supply stores at Berba, British Somaliland. Knemy 'plane's tried to raid Massawa. but two were shot down. The Italian Navy downed another in flames.

"The enemy bombed Augusta in Sicily, but the prompt defence by the Navy and aircraft thwarted the attack. ' One enemy 'plane was downed. Damage was insignificant."