ON NAZI PLANES

Auckland Star, 12 May 1941, Page 7

ON NAZI PLANES

R.A.F.'S LIBYAN RAIDS

Navy Sinks Two Ships In Attack On Bengasi

Rec. 1.30 p.m

RUGBY, May 11

Prolonged bombing of the aerodrome at Derna, an important enemy supply point, had successful results, according to the R.A.F. Middle East communique, which states that the Derna aerodrome, upon which a considerable number of enemy aircraft were dispersed, was bombed by the R.A.F. during the night of May 9-10, and again yesterday.

Strong electrical storms prevented some aircraft from reaching the target, but the others got through, and it is believed that the damage caused was considerable.

At Jedabaya some Junkers 52 (large troop-carrying aircraft) were bombed and damaged.

R.A.F. fighters maintained active patrols, and one Messerschmitt 109 was destroyed on the Gazala aerodrome as it was attempting to take off. There were a large number of enemy aircraft on the aerodrome, and these were machine-gunned by our fighters.

British naval forces carried out an attack on the harbour at Bengasi early on Thursday morning, says an Admiralty communique. Hits\vere observed on enemy shipping alongside the wharves. The town was also successfully attacked from the air.

Two enemy supply ships were intercepted while approaching the harbour and destroyed. One was of 3000 tons, and the other was an ammunition ship of between 5000 and 6000 tons. It was blown to bits. Advancing in Abyssinia Steady progress in clearing up operations in Abyssinia is the main feature of the Middle East war communique issued in Cairo, which states that in the Tobruk and Solium areas Imperial patrols have again been active. Casualties have been inflicted on the enemy, and a number of prisoners taken.

In Abyssinia Indian troops advancing from the north have captured two further important features in the Amba Alagi sector, taking 150 prisoners. Meanwhile the column advancing from the south has again made important headway, inflicting serious casualties on the Italian defenders. Further south operations are continuing satisfactorily in every sector.

Patriots under British officers captured Orchow, in the Amba Alagi area, in Abyssinia, stated an earlier message. They are reported to be within 18 miles of the Indian forces advancing from the north who are now attacking the Toselli Pass in the Amba Alagi mountains.

In the eastern Gojjam area British troops killed 80 and wounded 200 of an enemy garrison retreating from Debra Marcos. In the south after heavy fighting spread over soma days the enemy has been ejected from strongly-prepared positions, one of which was eight miles in depth. The leading British troops are now approaching a point 45 miles south of Neghelli, and Alghe.

The Emperor Haile Silassie has sent a telegram to Mr. Churchill expressing "gratitude for the sympathy and kindness shown me in the past and for support of the armed forces in the present" and his pride in the fact that his own people, in collaboration with the British Imperial forces, had been able to play a part in the defeat of the enemy. He asked that his thanks be given to the forces which participated in the campaign, says a British Official Wireless message.

Mr. Churchill said in reply: "It was with deep and universal pleasure that the British nation learned of your welcome home to your capital at Addis Ababa. Your Majesty was the first of the lawful sovereigns to be driven from his throne and country by Fascist and Nazi criminals and is now the first to return in triumph.

"Your Majesty's thanks will be conveyed to the forces which aided the Ethiopian patriots in the total and final destruction of the Italian military usurpation. The British Government looks forward to a long period of peace and progress in Ethiopia after the forces of evil have been finally overthrown."