WIDE OPERATIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 116, 19 May 1941, Page 8

WIDE OPERATIONS

MIDDLE EAST PLANES

GREEK AIRFIELDS RAIDED

MUCH DAMAGE DONE

ißec. 2.30 p.m.) RUGBY, May 18. The widening of the area of operations in and around the Mediter- " ranean is well seen in a R.A.F. (Middle East) communique issued on Sunday describing many operations by aircraft of the Imperial and" Allied forces in which 21 enemy aircraft were destroyed for the loss of three. The communique states: "On the night of May 16-17 our heavy bombers attacked Benghazi, where considerable damage was done. A number of fires continued to burr 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 fighters maintained constant patrols, during one of which two MesserschmiUs were shot down near Sollum. 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. "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 the north end of the aerodrome. Four aircraft on the ground were destroyed at Malaoi, where direct hits were obtained on the runway and hangars, and incendiaries fell among dispersed aircraft, causing considerable damage. ATTACKS BY FIGHTERS. "* "These bombing, attacks were followed at dawn by attacks by our fighters which machine-gunned the 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 were observed. "When enemy aircraft attempted a machine-gun attack on one of our aerodromes in Crete our fighters 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 accou/ited for one Junkers 52 and severely damaged another.

In Abyssinia Free French planes successfully attacked motor transport and troops in the Gondar area. Rhodesian aircraft carried out other operations in support of our troops. Only three of our planes are missing from all these operations.—B.O.W.