CONSTANT RAIDS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 287, 4 December 1941, Page 7

CONSTANT RAIDS

R.A.F. STILL ON TOP Trail Of Damage Behind Nazi Front Lines British OlTlcial Wireless. Rec. 1.30 p.m. RUGBY, Dec. 3. Heavy and successful air operations supporting the British land forces in Libya are recorded in an R.A.F. Middle East communique, which states: "In spite of adverse weather, which made operations most difficult, our aircraft were again active over Libya. In the battle area our bombers scored a number of direct hits on enemy motor transport columns on the roads in the region of El Gobi and El Adem. Landing grounds in the Jedabaya zone were machinegunned from a low level, one enemy aircraft being set on fire and others severely damaged.

"Maryland bombers of the South African Air Force successfully raided supply dumps and buildings at Bardia, where direct hits were obtained. In the Sirte area five enemy tankers were set on fire and many lorries and other motor transport vehicles damaged by machine-gun attacks. A Savoia 81 was shot down, crashing in flames.

"During Monday night the objectives were Bengasi and Derna, and enemy motor transport on the DernaCirene road at Barce was bombed. Bad visibility was encountered, and in most cases the results of the raids could not be observed. Direct hits, however, were obtained on military buildings near the harbour at Derna, and bombs were seen to fall among vehicles on the Derna-Cirene road.

"In the central Mediterranean on Monday our aircraft carried out a highly successful attack on an enemy tanker of 7000 tons, which was escorted by a destroyer and a number of fighter aircraft. Four direct hits were obtained. Our aircraft attacked the ship from a very low level, in spite of heavy and light A.A. fire from the destroyer and tanker.

"When the second attack was made the tanker was stationary, down by the stern and almost awash. The majority of the crew had abandoned ship and were seen in boats a few hundred yards from the tanker. The ship was left badly damaged, and was subsequently sunk with its escort by the Royal Navy. From these and other operations five of our aircraft are missing."