R.A.F.’S TARGETS IN SYRIA

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 228, 23 June 1941, Page 8

R.A.F.’S TARGETS IN SYRIA

Fighting Vehicles Hit BENGHAZI AGAIN RAIDED (Received June 22, 7 p.m.) RUGBY, June 21. A Middle East air communique states that fighters and bombers of the Royal Air Force and Royal Australia Air Force were active in Syria and Libya yesterday. "Our fighters attacked armoured fighting vehicles on the DamascusBeirut road and also ' a number of motor transport convoys,” it states. “A considerable number of vehicles were destroyed. Our bombers also attacked a concentration of motor transport in the Damascus area. “Shipping in the harbour at Beirut was bombed by aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm. Four direct hits were registered on a large jetty, and a ship—believed to have been a submarine, was hit. “In Libya, Benghazi was again raided during the night of Juno 19. Normal patrols and reconnaissance flights were carried out. Enemy aircraft on the aerodrome near Misurata were machine-gunned by Maryland aircraft, three S79’s being set on fire and others badly damaged. Columns-of smoke were seen rising from the aerodrome when our aircraft left. “In central Abyssinia aircraft of the South African Air Force and R.A.F. continue to give full air support to our ground troops.

“From all these operations our aircraft have returned safely.” It is officially announced in Cairo that there were two air attacks on Alexandria during the night of June 20. The enemy aircraft dropped a few incendiary high explosives. There were four fatal casualties and a small number of persons injured and some damage was done. i VATICAN SERVICE Anzac Prisoners Of War In Italy (Received June 22, 8 p.m.) * SYDNEY, June 22. News of Australian and New Zealand prisoners of war in Italy has been broadcast from the Vatican City radio station to the Apostolic Delegation in Sydney. It is hoped that weekly transmissions will be sent from the Vatican giving the whereabouts and health of Anzac prisoners. Archbishop Panico, Apostolic Delegate to Australia and New Zealand, said the Pope had organized a service of assistance fbr prisoners of war, missing persons and civil internees. The Holy See not only inquired about soldiets or internees, but sent personal messages for them. Dr. Panico requested families who asked about next-of-kin to indicate whether the men had been reported missing in Libya, Greece, Crete or elsewhere. Assistance would be granted to soldiers without distinction of religion.