GROWING AIR STRENGTH

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 98, 22 October 1940, Page 10

GROWING AIR STRENGTH

MANY EXPLOSIONS

ITALIAN BASES ATTACKED

(British Official Wireless.) (Received October 22, 2,30 p.m.) RUGBY, October 21. It is confirmed in official quarters in London that the British Air Forces in the Middle East are being strengthened. It was made clear that this increase in strength in the Middle East is additional to, and not at the expense of, expansion at home. It has been made possible by the growth of aircraft production and by supplies now becoming available from the United States. LONDON, October 21. Another successful raid has been made on the Italian naval base at j Tobruk. A communique says that a j successful raid by the R.A.F. was carried out on the night of October 19-20. Bombs fell around the waterfront between the barracks and the naval fuel tanks. There was a series of explosions. One was particularly violent, the flash lighting up the cabin of the raiding aircraft. In Eritrea a series of successful attacks was made on an Italian base. Two large buildings received direct hits and a big explosive bomb resulted in an explosion which lit up the whole camp. Other bombs caused large fires which still burned when the British aircraft last sighted the target on the homeward journey. Three aircraft and runways were bombed and probably damaged by near misses. In Abyssinia bombs fell close to the main hangars and among buildings in the Italian quarter. From these operations all the aircraft returned safely. A naval communique says that several enemy aircraft dropped bombs in the vicinity of Alexandria during the early hours. No casualties or damage are reported.

FREE FRENCH LEADERS

LONDON, October 21. In the Chad Territory an important meeting has recently taken place between the former Governor of IndoChina, General Catroux, and General de Gaulle, leader of the Free French Forces. It is disclosed in London tonight that General Catroux travelled from London to meet General de Gaulle and conveyed to him his admiration and confidence in the work he is doing to lead France to victory and pledged his fullest support. General Catroux has now left on his return to England.