OVER 85 ITALIAN PLANES DESTROYED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 157, 4 July 1940, Page 7

OVER 85 ITALIAN PLANES DESTROYED.

WAR IN AFRICA.

British Bombers Strike At

Enemy Posts.

FIERCE FIGHTING IN LIBYA.

United Prese Association. —Copyright (Received noon.) LONDON, July 3. Unofficial reports from Cairo state that the R.A.F. destroyed at least 60 Italian aeroplanes to June 30, and another 25 are believed to have been lost since. The R.A.F. losses have been very small.

A war communique eays the camel corps inflicted casualties on Italian regulars on the Somaliland frontier, at Bosantino, on June 30. The only British loss was one Somali soldier killed.

A Royal Air Force communique issued at Cairo says that R.A.F. fighter 'planes carried out an operation against the Macaca aerodrome, which was heavily bombed and machine-gunned. A bomb dump was directly hit and a fierce blaze followed a heavy explosion. Subsequently, two petrol dumps were set on fire. Two enemy fighters were shot down and a machine on the ground was destroyed. All the British 'planes returned.

Sidi Barrani and Mersamatruh were again bombed on July 1, but there were no casualties, says a British official wireless message." The damage was negligible. R.A.F. bombers operating from the Sudan attacked an Italian military concentration at Metemma with satisfactory results. Fires were started in the native troop quarters, and machine-gun and artillery posts were severely damaged. The British 'planes encountered heavy machine-gun fire, but all returned safely. Aircraft of the Rhodesian Squadron of the R.A.F. I carried out a raid yesterday afternoon I on a military concentration in the Moyale area, scoring several direct hits and causing considerable damage. Battle for Italian Fort "Operations are continuing in the Capuzzo and Sidi Aziz area between ; British advanced forces and the enemy, who has been reinforced," stages a communique issued from British Midd'e East Headquarters in Cairo. "Tanks, artillery and aircraft are taking part in the battle in the scorching desert around the Italian fort of Capuzzo, where the Italians are making their first serious attempt to retaliate after initial British advances. "The Italians are believed to he attempting to capture Solium, on the coast near the border, because their propaganda features this tiny, battered village as an important naval base and frontier junction. The Italians are employing much more powerful effectives than they have used hitherto." Lieutenant-General H. M. Wilson, who is in command of the British forces in Egypt* summing up for the "correspondent of "The Times" the military situation in Egyptian territory, said: "Our first job was to break down 200 miles of wire fence on the Libyan frontier, which was garrisoned by Libyan troops under Italian officers. Our mechanised patrols carried out the task and penetrated Italian territory deeply.

Hardships of Desert Fighting. "These operations, which were aimed to create a situation giving scope for our mobile units, have been carried out under severe difficulties—heat and lack of water, sandstorms, the absence of cover arid lack of good communications. "The success of our operations, in which patrols constantly harassed the enemy and collected information deep in enemy territory, shows the definite superiority of the British troops, who, in spite of always fighting against a numerically superior enemy, have captured many prisoners, including a large number of Italian officers. None of our men has been captured. " "In short, we are fighting a very successful guerilla campaign under con- j ditions which do not allow the employ-! ment of forces on European lines." j , "The Times" correspondent says similar conditions prevail on the frontiers of the Sudan and Kenya, where constant British patrols are harassing and demoralising the enemy's native troops. The spirits of the British on all fronts are high. Rome Claims Successes. A Rome communique states that strong British forces violently attacked the Italian garrison at Metemma, in Italian East Africa. The Italians vigorously counter-attacked. A subsequent air raid did no damage. Anti-aircraft guns shot down two British 'planes. Italian 'planes again successfully bombed air and naval bases at Aden. MALTA HEAVILY RAIDED. ONE 'PLANE SHOT DOWN. (Received noon.) LONDON, July 3. Malta was heavily raided by the enemy this morning. One raider was shot down in flames.