FIERCE BATTLE IN DESERT

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 239, 4 July 1940, Page 9

FIERCE BATTLE IN DESERT

Effort By Italians ENEMY BLUNDER IN EAST (Received July 3. 10.10 p.m.) CAIRO, July 3. A communique issued by the British Middle East headquarters states: “Tanks, artillery and aircraft arc participating in a battle in the scorching desert in the Capuzzo area, where the Italians are making their first serious attempt to retaliate after the initial British advances. “The Italians, it is believed, are attempting to capture Solhun because their propaganda features this tiny, battered village as an important naval base and- frontier junction. The Italians are employing much more powerful effectives than they had hitherto.” LONDON, July 2. A communique issued today in Cairo says: “Operations are continuing at Fort Capuzzo, in the Sidi-Azseiz area, in the western desert, between our advanced troops and the enemy, who have been reinforced. In Somaliland our patrols successfully raided Barumo. On other fronts there is nothing to report.” ..... A communique issued in Nairobi states: “The Italians launched their third attack against Moyale, on the Kenya-Abyssinian frontier, at 3 p.m. yesterday, but made no progress. The situation was quiet at 6 p.m. During the attack our aircraft again bombed military targets in the neighbourhood of Italian Moyale. Good results were obtained from direct hits. During the night the front was quiet." Italians’ Costly Error. An official statement by the British headquarters in the Middle East says that details have been received of an Italian blunder on the KenyaAbyssinia frontier which involved the Italians in considerable losses. At dawn on June 28, in the neighbourhood of Moyale, in a small defended frontier village in the northern province of Kenya, a concentration of Italian troops mistook a patrol of Banda—ltalian conscripted native levies—for British troops, and opened fire. Several unfortunate Banda were killed or wounded.

Their comrades returned the Italians’ fire, causing several casualties. When the mistake was discovered the Italians rallied and turned artillery and machine-gun fire on the British across a valley at Fort Harrington and attempt an attack which was a complete failure. No British casualties or damage ha ve been reported. Operations by K.A.F.

An R.A.F. communique issued in Cairo states: "Our planes, pressing home an attack against. Gondar (Abyssinia) despite heavy anti-aircraft fire, set fire to one bomber and seriously damaged five others, and also set fire to buildings near the hangars. We suffered no casualties.

“A formation of bombers raided an oil refinery and oil tanks at Augusta, in Sicily. The refinery was set on fire.

. “Direct hits wore secured on one enemy lorry convoy and two gun positions in the Moyale area.

“Enemy planes visited Sidi Barrani, but there were no casualties and no damage was done. "The aerodrome at Azozo was also successfully attacked by our bombers. Italian planes bombed Mersa Matruh yesterday lint there were no casualties or damage.”

ITALIAN CLAIMS Many Bombing Raids ROME. July 2. An Italian communique states: “On the border of Cyrenaica an Italian plane bombed enemy armoured cars, setting on fire and damaging some of them. Two Italian pianos have not returned. Italian air force planes surprised repeatedly and very effectively bombed big enemy convoys south-east of tlie Mediterranean. “In the East Africa region Italian planes effectively bombed the port, and supply stores at Berbera. in British .Somaliland, “Enemy planes tried to raid Massa wa. but. two were shot down, and the Italian navy brought down another in flames. “Tiie enemy bombed Augusta, in Sicily, but prompt defence by naval aircraft thwarted tiie attack. Ono enemy plane was brought down. The damage done was insignificant.” DUKE OF KENT BACK FROM PORTUGAL

LONDON, July 2. The Duke of Kent lias arrived iu Ixindoiijf rpjji jltortuga 1,.