WIDENED AIR WAR

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 199, 20 May 1941, Page 7

WIDENED AIR WAR

R.A.F. Destroys Many Enemy Planes RAIDS OVER GREECE i British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, May 18. The widening of the area of operations in and around the Mediterranean is well seen in a Royal Air Force (Middle East) • communique issued today describing many operations by aircraft of the Imperial and Allied forces in which a large number of enemy aircraft were destroyed for the loss of three. The communique states: "Ou the night of May 16-17 our heavy bombers attacked Benghazi, where considerable damage was done. A number of fires continued to burn a long time after our aircraft left the target. Derna and Gazala were also raided. At Derna, explosions, one of which was particularly Violent, took place among buildings south of the harbour. Fires were caused on the aerodrome and the landing ground at. Gazala, which was bombed and machine-gunned.

“Our lighters maintained constant patrols, daring one of which two Messerschmitts were shot down near Solium. Large motor transport supply columns on the Tobruk-Bardia road and on the Capuzzo track were successfully machine-gunned. Road traffic was completely stopped. “During one attack more than 20 vehicles were completely destroyed by fire and many others damaged. A petrol dump was blown up. “Enemy aircraft raided the Suez Canal area last' night, but no damage or casualties resulted to Service property or personnel. Two enemy aircraft were destroyed by anti-aircraft guns, and another was shot, down by our fighters. Greek Aerodromes Bombed.

“Aerodromes in Greece occupied by the Germans were heavily attacked during the night of May 16-17. Our bombers caused a number of fires at Angos and also at Menidi, where a violent explosion occurred at tbe north end of the aerodrome. Four aircraft on the ground were destroyed at Malaoi, where direct hits were obtained on the runxvay and hangars, and incendiaries fell among dispersed aircraft, causing considerage damage. “These bombing attacks were folloxved at dawn by attacks by our fighters which machine-gunned tlie aerodromes of Hassani, Angos. and Malaoi. At Hassani 20 Junkers . 52’s were seen to be hit and a number of Messerschmitt 109’s were also attacked. At Angos similar attacks were carried out against enemy aircraft on the aerodrome. Two of them were set on fire and others damaged. Enemy planes at Malaoi made excellent targets for our aircraft and many hits "-ere observed.

“When enemy aircraft attempted a machine-gun attack on one of our aerodromes in Crete our lighters intercepted them and destroyed three Messerschmitt 109’s and damaged others. Anti-aircraft fire shot down four enemy aircraft and also damaged others. One of our aircraft, returning from reconnaissance, joined in the fight and accounted for one Junkers 52 and severely damaged another. Success Over Iraq.

‘•ln Iraq two of our Gladiators encountered two Messerschmitts over Raschid and destroyed both without suffering any damage. The Gladiators then machine-gunned motor transport on the roads near by. The aerodromes at Mosul :rnd Raschid were bombed by <>ur aircraft. One large enemy aircraft was set on lire at Mosul and others were badly damaged. "In Abyssinia Free French planes successfully attacked motor transport and troops in the Gondar area. Rhodesian aircraft, carried out other i operations in support of our troops. ' "Only three of our planes are miss- | ing from all those operations. | SLIGHT DAMAGE AT SUEZ i Received May J!> 8.10 p.m. > LONDON, May 10. ' Raiders over tile Suez Canal area on ' the night of May 17 dropped explosive I and incendiary bombs, killing seven ]>eii sons and injuring two children, but doI ing only slight damage. ' WEEK’S AIR LOSSES Enemy And British i Kririsb iHlicilll Wii ele.-.“. > RUGBY. May is. The Axis aircraft losses for the wet s ,-mled al dusk yesterday totalled 111. i liver Britain ami round lhe British i coasts, Germany lost 68 planes and | (lie R.A.F. three. Over Germany and occupied territory lhe Germans lost eight and lhe R.A.F. 21. In tile Middle Rast the Axis losses were 13 planes in the air and 22 on the ground, while the R.A.F. lost 11. Tin- Navy meanwhile announced : that Hi enemy aircraft wore destroyed ■ by His Majesty's sbi]>.- in the Modi i terraneaii between May G and May 12. I one destroyed on May 11. and one now confirmed as, destroyed.