SEVERE DAMAGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 76, 31 March 1941, Page 7

SEVERE DAMAGE.

Havoc By R.A.F. And Free French Over Africa. MOTOR TRANSPORTS BOMBED. (Reed. 1 p.m.) RUGBY, Mar. 30. A communique from R.A.F. Headquarters in the Middle East to-day states: "In Italian East Africa there ■was further intense activity by the R.A.F. in the Asmara area yesterday. In the town itself the main station buildings, trucks on sidings and a motor transport were repeatedly hit and severely damaged. A motor transport factory and storey ard were set on fire. Motor transport and troops on the roads in the same area were heavily bombed and machine-gunned.

"-Many vehicles were destroyed and others damaged by aircraft of the Free French squadron, which took part in a raid on an enemy encampment between Gondar and Asmara, where military buildings were demolished bv a direct hit.

''North of Dessye considerable damape was done to a large concentration of motor vehicles when these were bombed and machine-gunned. Aircraft of the South African Air F orc c carried out a successful bombing and machinegun attack on motor transport and buildings in the Magi area. Near Diredawa motor transport vehicles were overturned, and many others were observed to be damaged after a machinegun attack from the air.

"During Friday night R.A.F. bombers raided the harbour of Tripoli. Large bombs were observed to fall among the shipping, and others were seen to burst between the wireless station and the main electric power station. From these operations all our aircraft returned safelv.''