THE MIDDLE EAST

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 28, 1 August 1940, Page 12

THE MIDDLE EAST

AIR ACTIVITY

SUCCESSFUL OPERATIONS

(U.P.A. and Official Wireless.) (Received August 1, 1.20 p.m.) LONDON, July 31. An Admiralty communique states that two sea Gladiator aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm intercepted three Italian! Savoia aircraft in the Mediterranean; on Monday. One of the Italian, machines was shot down in flames, and a second was seen to be badly hit,, and was considered unlikely to have regained its base. One of the British, machines made a forced landing in the sea: The pilot was picked up unhurt.]

A Royal Air Force communique issued in Cairo states: "Our bombers successfully attacked an ammunition dump and other objectives at Massawa and scored direct hits on the Italian headquarters and fuel dumps. Fighters intercepted our bombers, but all the latter returned. "On July 29 Blenheims attacked naval barracks at Assab and hangars at Macaca. The damage done is not known. We reconnoitred over Tobruk and Derna.and observed eleven planes in an unserviceable condition at Derna as a result of recent raids. . "A formation, of enemy bombers raided Aden, four natives being killed and 15 wounded. The damage was negligible. "Enemy planes approached Malta, but turned back before reaching the island." ' ,

A communique issued in Rome states: "Our planes in" East Africa again bombed the port of Aden, making direct hits on two ships" and* a' large oil depot. All our planes returned." A Nairobi communique says that strong enemy forces were encountered at Dobel about 30 miles south of Moyale. After a sharp engagement, in which the enemy suffered considerable lpsses, the British, troops broke off the action.

A message from Madrid says that Gibraltar was heavily bombed early this evening. Explosions were heard far inland.

Malta reports that R.A.F. fighters shot down a fighter off Valletta when, enemy planes approached Malta this morning. One British fighter was shot down but the pilot escaped by parachute.' No bombs were dropped.