LUFTWAFFE MORALE FEELING THE STRAIN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 172, 23 July 1941, Page 7

LUFTWAFFE MORALE FEELING THE STRAIN

LIBYA CONDITIONS Intensified R.A.F. Raids Disrupt Supplies United Pr.-ss Association. —Copyright. Rec. 12.30 p.m. LONDON. July 22. Taking advantage of the Luftwaffe's preoccupation in Russia the R.A.F. Middle East Com man.J is ordering ever heavier attacks on Bengasi and other strategic targets in Libya. Reports of the correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain in the Western Desert says that with the R.A.F. keeping the back door of Bengasi •closed. Italians are forced to bring war materials for their armies and their air force in the Libva front ncarlv 1000 miles from Tripoli because Sirte. the only port between Tripoli and Bengasi, accommodates onlv the smallest coasters. Documents captured show that the morale of Luftwaffe squadrons remaining in Libya is suffering under the strain of the difficult conditions. Letters accuse Italian generals of expecting too much from the air force. Air losses in Libva are ascribed to unexpected technical difficulties developing from desert flying and the British use of a special bomb which scatters small splinters over an area of 500 yards. Grounded planes are peppered with splinters which lodge in vital parts of the engines. As there are no repair depots in Libya planes mav not function again after standing in dust storms waiting for spares for overhaul. The R.A.F. headquarters Middle East communique states that R.A.F. heavy bombers carried out an attack on the harbour of Naples and railway sidings in the vicinitv on the night of July 20-21. The first bombs dropped on the target caused large fires and these were subsequentlv increased by bombs from the remaining aircraft. The fires were accompanied by explosions. On the same night heavv bombers again attacked the dock installations at Bengasi, causing fires and explosions on moles. A communique from headquarters in Cairo states that there is no change in the situation on all fronts.