BRITISH BOMBERS BUMPER GERMANS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 87, 14 April 1941, Page 7

BRITISH BOMBERS BUMPER GERMANS.

GREEK FRONT.

Many Hits Registered on Roads and Convoys.

British Official Wireless.

iliccd. 1 p.m.)

RUGBY, April 13.

The R.A.F. Middle East communique states: In the Balkans bombers successfully attacked motor convoys in the Monastir area yesterday. Many hits were registered on a road and a uumber of vehicles destroyed. Another formation attacked a convoy of motor vehicles proceeding towards Wona Harbour. During the previous light enemy aircraft made a number of raids in the Piraeus area. Anti-air-guns and night fighters destroyed at least three enemy aircraft and several were damaged.

In the Dodecanese, bombers raided Calato during the night of April 11 and !2> and many direct hits were observed '1 the aerodrome, and one large petrol "re was started.

A number of Junkers S7 raided Malta on the night of April 11 and 12. Xo service damage or casualties were reported, a |id one Junkers was shot down by antiaircraft fire.

Xews of British air activity on the Albanian front is contained in an official "inouncement issued in Athens, which states: '"R.A.F. bomber aircraft successfully attacked German motorised conin the Monastir area yesterday. Hits were registered on the road and vehicles were destroyed. Another formation bombed a convov near Valona harbour.

Other operations were carried out, it the results were difficult to observe wing to extremely bad weather condi'ong. On the night of April 11 and 12, aircraft made a number of raids i®,. r ? Us harbour and surrounding area. ■ ""-aircraft defences and night fighters for three enemy aircraft deltely destroyed and a number of others .. r ® severely damaged. From all operaW one British aircraft failed to rebut the pilot is safe. The battle in the Balkans has develPJM new ferocity, with both sides using I 3 "® ov ' n g columns supported by diveearl a ' K ' aircraft, eaid an Ur'Y* ca^e mp ssage. German and ' forces are reported to be in con''ilt ®°uth-\vest and west of Salonika. th» u mo6 '' violent action centres in armr. ! area. British and Greek ure< l Units are here seeking contact jj. .. " le Germans, in the Fiorina-. »v? , ri 8ec * or > w hi'f cutting in the Hank soli/i e . e "" a 11 columns <-cckiiiu' to court t? tlleil ' l ' ontai 't with the Italians * e Ochrida. There U still no fu that they have linked up in

to S same time the Serbs continue 0 ( i?. ninier the Germans from the north tinJj 14 *''ea. and desperate battles con•found Prilip and to the noitli>tt»m »• Skoplje. The Serbs are also 'fai-l ji"? - t0 ta ' <e l^le ' n Slid driving down the Albanian coast, Pott orD^' 0 '" 1611 t0 ' lavc oocll l > ' e d tlie "le'ftf 8 , lear!l{>(l f-ondon yesterday that Bfij.v " ,e arnnmru'd car patrols of the ilbnisf an d Imperial forces in the ffttni •" ? rea Mu-, 'cssful]y "shot up" an unit while it war- disn". traii.-pnrt, says a jjjpfejjl pfli'-ia! wireless message. The not f uH'cr any casualties.

The Greeks announced that they smashed a German column comprising many tanks, armoured cars, motor cyclists and infantry in the FlorinaBanitza sector. The Athens radio savs:

"The Germans are now in contact with our organised central front which the main (Jreek and British troops are holding. This forms a powerful wall."

'Ilie air forces oil both sides continue pitiless strating day and night, and both German and Allied casualties are believed to be already considerable. Whatever the outcome of this battle, it promises a demonstration of tlie full fury of modern weapons mercilessly used.

Describing the concentration of British forces in Greece, a correspondent says he has never seen, men so eager to get to grips with the enemy. The British are anxious to settle accounts with the Germans for the bombing of their homes and families in Englaml.