ITALIAN FUEL

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 31, 5 August 1940, Page 7

ITALIAN FUEL

R.A.F. DESTRUCTION BOMBS START FIRES (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, August 3. Further air action, both offensive and defensive, is described in Royal Air Force communiques issued in Cairo. One communique states: "R.A.F. bombers raided bulk fuel installations at Zula, in Eritrea. There were heavy bursts on or near the target, and one direct hit resulted in a big column of black smoke. Stores and buildings were also damaged. "The oil depots at the Accio and Asmara aerodromes were again raided, and in spite of heavy anti-aircraft fire the attacks were pressed home. One bomber dived to within 100 feet to attack enemy aircraft on the ground. At Accio several explosions occurred as a result of the raid, and the effects could be seen 30 miles away. "All our aircraft returned safely." According to another communique, "a formation of enemy bombers attack, ed Khasm el-Girba without success. A C.A.13 raider was sighted over Gedaref and shot down by our fighters, the crew of the Italian machine being captured. ENEMY PLANES DOWN. "Our aircraft attacked an ammunition dump in the Assab district and there were several heavy explosions, while a searchlight was put out of action. "At Chitele our bombers were attacked by a number of C.R.42's, two of which when last seen were diving down out of control. All our aircraft returned safely. "Aircraft of the South African Air Force raided Yavello aerodrome, causing considerable damage to two large hangars and to camp buildings, while three enemy aircraft on the ground were attacked. "In various districts in northern Kenya enemy troop movements were harassed by our patrolling, aircraft." A communique issued yesterday stated: "During two raids on Chitele, the result of which was not yet known, our bombers were engaged by enemy fighters, one of which was believed to have been destroyed. On the return journey our bombers sighted three enemy bombers attacking Zeilah, in British Somaliland. Our aircraft immediately attacked and one enemy machine was shot down in' flames and another was last seen with Jalack smoke coming from one engine." ITALIAN CASUALTIES. The British military headquarters at Cairo announces that the total number of enemy killed in fighting on the Libya border is now many hundreds, while 818 prisoners have been taken. The 55th High Command communique issued in Rome states: "It is confirmed that a fire which was caused in Haifa during the recent bombardment was burning after three days. "In the Sudan aeroplanes bombed the station buildings at Port Sudan, setting fire to a supply depot. They also bombed the airfield at Debeit, causing great damage. About ten enemy aeroplanes were hit on the ground. In Kenya, near Buna, enemy troop concentrations and automobile units were bombed and machine-gunned. In North Africa enemy aeroplanes raided Bardia without inflicting material damage, but there were some losses of troops. An enemy air raid on Gagliari resulted in .one person being killed and three wounded, and slight material damage. Two enemy aeroplanes were brought down and the crew of one was pantured."