ENEMY GIVEN NO RESPITE

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23204, 16 December 1940, Page 7

ENEMY GIVEN NO RESPITE

Unceasing Attacks By R.A.F.

HEAVY TOLL TAKEN

(BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.) (Received December 15, 8 p.m.) RUGBY, December 14. A communique issued to-day by the headquarters of the Royal Air Force in the Middle East stales: “Throughout the last 24 hours fighter and bomb, or aircraft of the Royal Air Force continued without respite their support of the Army in the successful operations in the Western Desert,

“Aerodromes, landing grounds, fuel dumps, and stores of all kinds, including motor transport and troops, were bombed and machine-gunned. “Derna was very heavily raided on Friday night and several tons of highexplosive bombs fell on the barracks, wireless station and other- military buildings. Fierce fires were caused, which spread rapidly. “Bardia was again attacked and direct hits were scored on stores at Gubi, Gambut, Derna, and Fomi. Gazala was also raided and one Fiat CR42 Fighter and three Savoia-Mar-chetti 579 bombers were destroyed on the ground, and other enemy aircraft were made unserviceable. “On the Tobruk-Bardia road our cight-gun fighters took heavy toll of the enemy.

"While continuing to give protection to our advancing troops, our aircraft shot down five CR42's, making the total for the day 15. Four of our Glostcr Gladiator four-gun fighters were Inst, but throe of the pilots escaped safely by parachute. "One of our two bombers announced in yesterday's communique as having failed to return to their base is now reported safe. "In Italian East Africa, Gura was attacked, many bombs falling on the aerodrome. One incendiary bomb started a fire which was followed by loud explosions. At Diredawa the pumping-station was attacked, all the bombs falling well within the target area. Asmara was also attacked heavily, but the weather prevented an accurate estimate of the damage caused. "Caproni workshops at Mai Adaga suffered hits, while the landing grounds were heavily bombed. “No bombing operations were possible in Albania by our aircraft because of the weather." Tobruk Heavily Bombed Bomber and fighter aircraft of the Royal Air Force maintained incessant attacks on enemy aerodromes, troops and motor transport concentrations in Libvu throughout Wednesday night and" Thursday. A particularly heavy raid was carried out on Tobruk during the night. Many tons of bombs were dropped on the town and harbour. Fires were observed burning fiercely in many places, and violent explosions and fires near petrol dumps were seen from Solium Bay by British aircraft on their return journey. There was also a heavy explosion near ammunition stores.

In all more than 12 enemy aerodromes ’ and landing grounds were raided and considerable damage was done. Fighter aircraft patrolled throughout the day, covering the British troops and harassing the retreating enemy. Much mechanical transport was destroyed, and troops on the line of communications wore demoralised. A squadron of the Royal Australian Air Force has played no small part in the successful air operations supporting the army in the Western Desert in the last few days, states the Air Ministry news service. The squadron has accounted for many enemy aeroplanes and has done excellent work in covering the British troops’ advance. One Fiat CR37 fighter was included in their bag. They came upon Italian aircraft machine-gunning British transports and attacked immediately. A flight-lieutenant got a long burst right into the cockpit of the enemy machine which turned over on its back and hit the ground before bursting into flames. On the second day of the attack, five Australians accounted for 12 Fiat CR42 fighters, which were attempting to harass British troops. The squadronleader who led the attack quickly shot down one. and the other Australians became engaged in a general dog fight. A flying officer said: “When I arrived I saw three enemy aircraft in front preparing for another dive on our troops. By half rolling into a divo I came astern of the last CR42. I was 150 yards behind him when I opened fire. He attempted a sleep climbing turn but his aircraft collapsed in the middle of it.”

LORD LOTHIAN’S DEATH

MR ROOSEVELT MAY ATTEND FUNERAL LORD HALIFAX SUGGESTED AS SUCCESSOR (Received December 15, 8 p.m.) WASHINGTON, December 14. The State Department has announced that Lord Lothian’s body will be cremated, and his ashes interred temporarily at Arlington National Cemetery, the resting place of America’s military heroes, on December 16. The cremation will take place after a memorial service in the Cathedral of Peter and Paul. The interment will be with full military honours. The ashes will be deposited in a vault under the mast which is a,memorial of the battleship Maine, until Lord Lothian’s family and the British Government decide their final resting place. . , From a British source it is revealed that Mr Roosevelt is likely to attend Lord Lothian’s funeral, as he is cutting short his cruise, landing at Charleston, South Carolina,- -(D-day, and reaching Washington by train on December 15. It Is authoritatively stated that the name of Lord Halifax is prominent in discussions about a successor to Lord Lothian as British Ambassador. It Is known that Lord Halifax would be welcomed in high United States quarters. Precautions by Russia —The sales of certain foodstuffs in Russia have been restricted by one-half. This is reported not to be a result of scarcity, but a precaution against the possibility of Russia being drawn Into the war. —Moscow, December 14.

Mexican Naval Bases. —It i§ announced that the Mexican Navy plans to build docks and aerodromes on Isla Margarita, in lower California, and also on Isla Mujeres, in the province of Quintana Rno. and Isla Pichilingue at Baha La Paz. The Acapulco docks will be lengthened and an aviation base constructed at Zihuatanejo.— Mexico City, December 14, t