ENEMY POSITIONS NEAR TOBRUK

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23400, 6 August 1941, Page 8

ENEMY POSITIONS NEAR TOBRUK

Attacks by British Bombers

another big raid ON BENGHAZI (B0 W.) RUGBY. August 4 “Squadrons of the South African Air Force living Maryland bombers, delivered a heavy attack on enemy gun positions in the Tobruk area yesterday,” statcs'a Royal Ai '’ .^° rce ~ 0I ? t munique from the Middle East “Scores of bombs were seen to fall on the targets. Boyal Air fi J° rce South African Air Force fighters cairied out offensive patrols over enemyoccupied areas. 7 "During the night of August -.-3, a large formation of heavy bombers of the Royal Air Force attacked the harbour at Benghazi in the one hundred and seventh raid on the port. They caused a largo number of hres, and a direct hit was registered on an enemy anti-aircraft gun battery. One of these aircraft also machine : gunned anti-aircraft guns and searchlights at the Berka aerodrome from a low altitU"During the same night aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm bombed the aerodrome at Gambut, while on the previous day Royal Air Force bombers attacked Misurata, where they demolished a blockhouse with a direct hit, and also severely damaged barrack buildings. Base in Italy Attacked “The Royal Air Force yesterday carried out a successful attack on a number of Italian fighters on the ground at Reggio, in Italy. Fragments of aircraft were seen flying into the air as the result of the attack, and it is known that a large number of Macchi 200’s were destroyed. “From these operations all our aircraft returned safely.” A communique from British General Headquarters in Cairo states: "Our offensive patrols from Tobruk continued their aggressive activity. Although valuable work has been done in locating and destroying hostile enemy minefields, the enemy has apparently refused contact by withdrawing from his forward positions under cover of darkness. In the frontier area patrols from our mechanised units again harassed the enemy, particularly by artillery fire.”

U.S. CRUISERS JN BRISBANE

UNEXPECTED ARRIVAL (Received August 5, 11.30 p.m.) BRISBANE, August 5, Two United States cruisers, each of 9000 tons with a complement of 700 men,, arrived in Brisbane unexpectedly to-day. The visit is officially stated to be part of a training cruise. FREEDOM OF TAIN HONOUR FOR MR FRASER (Received August 5. 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, August 5. Presenting the Prime Minister of New Zealand (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) with the Freedom of Tain, the Provost (Mr William Fraser) described him as “one of the architects • and builders of the Empire.” but to the people of Tain he Still remained Peter Fraser of Fearn, a man of valiant and understanding heart. Mr Fraser, on his way to the cere-, mony,. inspected a guard of honour from a Highland regiment and placed wreaths on the town’s war memorial.