CRETE'S GUNS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 121, 24 May 1941, Page 1 (Supplement)

CRETE'S GUNS

TROOP-CARRIERS HIT British Bombers Active In Middle East British Official Wireless. Rec. 5 p.m. RUGBY, May 23 The R.A.F. Middle East communique states that South African fighters destroyed two Junkers 87's which were attempting to bomb shipping in the Mediterranean. \ troop-carrier was shot down off the coast of Crete. Since the invasion of Crete began 16 Junkers 52's (troopcarriers) have been destroyed by anti-aircraft guns. During the night of May 21-22 Bengasi Harbour was successfully attacked. Bombs burst on the cathedral mole and two fires accompanied by explosions were started. One German fighter was destroyed during machine-gunning of motor transport in the Capuzzo area reported yesterday. In Abyssinia a motor transport concentration near Soddu was divebombed by South African planes, seven vehicles being destroyed. A similar attack on troops, transport and stores at Jimma was also successful. Enemy positions at Dilla were bombed. Iraqi rebels attacked Fallujah yesterday, but after heavy bombing the ariginal British positions were re3ccupied. A number of lorries and tanks were captured. An Iraqi petrol dump at Cassel's Post, 12 miles from Bagdad, was bombed ind machine-gunned, four large fires being started. The resultant column sf smoke was over a mile high. The Mosul aerodrome was machinegunned by R.A.F. fighters, two enemy aircraft being destroyed and mother damaged. German aircraft bombed and machine-gunned Habanniyah, causing some damage to buildings and slight casualties. From ill these operations two British planes are missing.