EGYPTIAN FRONT

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23745, 17 September 1942, Page 5

EGYPTIAN FRONT

PATROL ACTIVITY CONTINUES WIDESPREAD AIR OPERATIONS (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright.) (Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 16. Operations in Egypt are still confined mainly to patrol activity. There has been a slight increase in air activity. • . , The latest Cairo communique states: ‘‘On Monday night our patrols were active on all sectors. Enemy* patrols and working parties were engaged and harassed. There is nothing to report from our land forces.” Air activity increased, and although only one enemy aeroplane was definitely destroyed it is probable that at least five others did not reach their bases. Tuesday’s communique from British Headquarters in Cairo stated: “On the night of September 13 our patrol activity continued and our artillery shelled enemy positions in the northern and central sectors. Yesterday land operations were confined to artillery exchanges particularly in the southern sector where enemy positions and vehicle concentrations were shelled. . “Allied bombers on Sunday night attacked shipping and port installations at Benghazi, aerodromes at Sidi Heneish, and selected objectives at Tobruk in force. Explosions and fires were caused, anti-aircraft and searchlight batteries were put out of action, and encampments were attacked. Yesterday our long-range fighters, escorting naval units returning from Tobruk, engaged large formations of enemy bombers, forced them to jettison their bombs and inflicted casualties. Air activity was on a small scale over the battle area. One Messerschmitt 109 was shot down without loss to ourselves.” Heavy Air Attacks Heavy, medium and light bombers of the United Nations, including naval aircraft, carried out the heaviest night raids of the Middle East campaign on Sunday night. Shipping and port installations at Tobruk and Benghazi, and enemy landing grounds and encampments in the desert were among the targets successfully attacked. Tobruk was the main target and heavy and medium bombers SCOTGu many hits. Fires and explosions were started at naval fuel tanks and petrol installations. One explosion at a large petrol installation was felt by the aircraft at 16,000 feet. More fires were started as bombs burst along the jetties and in the town area. Other bombers which attacked an enemy encampment west of JPobruk saw hits among tents and bursts near workshops. Benghazi was also attacked by heavy Royal Air Force and United States bombers. Bursts were observed in the harbour area and near a medium-sized ship. In daylight on Monday heavy American bombers attacked Suda Bay, in Crete. Shipping and the docks were attacked. One ship was hit, another was probably hit, and other bombs exploded in the dock areas. The attack was made in the face of heavy antiaircraft fire, but all the aircraft returned safely. Over Malta on Tuesday there vvas increased enemy air activity. Five long alerts were sounded during the day. Casualties were few and damage was slight. The Tobruk Raid Latest details of the sea-borne and air attack on Tobruk on Sunday night reveal that a large force of bombers, including United States, South African, and Australian aircraft, in addition to those of the R.A.F., made a large number of extensive raids on harbour installations and dock facilities. They also attacked shipping in Tobruk and Benghazi harbours. When the naval units which took part in the raid were on their way home, they were attacked by a large force of enemy aircraft. Allied longrange fighters engaged the enemy and drove them off. The Italians claim that a British destroyer was sunk in Tobruk harbour. The chief object of the raid on Tobruk, it is stated; was the destruction of as much of Tobruk’s shipping, harbour installations, stores, and storage facilities as possible. The Italians and Germans have landed at Tobruk locomotives and rails with which they have reconditioned the Tobruk-Alamcin railway, built by the New Zealand railway construction companies. The ability of the enemy to bring in locomotives demonstrated the possibility of similarly landing tanks, guns, and heavy ammunition, and for this season the raid was decided upon.