Italian Drive Against Suez?

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 165, 13 July 1940, Page 9

Italian Drive Against Suez?

RUSSIAN STORY

Mediterranean Naval Battle Reported To Be Raging

ALEXANDRIA OBJECTIVE

(United Press Association.—Copyright.— Rec. 1 p.m.) LONDON, July 12. Moscow radio to-night took up the Rome radio's story of the Mediterranean naval battle, stating that the Italian Fleet is attacking towards the Suez Canal. The Italians are trying to establish communications with Abyssinia and Somaliland, and the main attack might be expected against Alexandria. A Rome communique says that the air and naval battle, started in the beginning of the week between British and Italian forces, is continuing. Waves of Italian 'planes successfully bombed British ships in Malta zone, sinking one ship, damaging two destroyers and hitting and setting fire to an aircraft carrier. The Stefani news agency in Rome states that heavy Italian bombers took off from all Mediterranean aerodromes at 10 a.m. for the purpose of attacking British naval and air forces and other military objectives in the Mediterranean. t> . Bt . a L CS l^at at noon to -d a y reconnaissance 'planes reported that British naval forces generally were heading to Egypt. High-placed authorities in London stated that eight bombing attacks were made on Britain's eastern Mediterranean Fleet yesterday. One Italian bomber was shot down. One British fighter was damaged. It is again emphasised that Italian claims to have damaged the Hood and Ark Royal are untrue. It is learned that about eight bombing attacks were carried out in the course of yesterday on British naval forces in the eastern Mediterranean, says a British official wireless message. One of the enemy fighters was shot down and one British fighter was unserviceable after landing on the aircraft carrier. l-Hl? latt f r '" the * uU extent °* *« British "casualties" and the highly coloured Italian communique which would appear to refer to these raids il completely without foundation.