ENEMY FORCES

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 117, 20 May 1941, Page 8

ENEMY FORCES

ATTACKED BY R.A.F.

LARGE FORMATIONS USED

WIDESPREAD RAIDS

(Rec. 1 p.m.) RUGBY, May 19. Highly successful actions against enemy mechanised forces are described in the R.A.F. Middle East communitque which states: "A large formation of aircraft of the R.A.F. and S.A.A.F. carried out attacks on enemy tanks between Fort Capuzzo and Halfaya Pass yesterday. A number of tanks were put out of action and serious damage was inflicted on many motor transport vehicles. "Our fighters carried put extensive patrols but no decisive' engagements resulted. During the night of May 16-17 the aerodromes of Monastir and Birchleta were raided. Benghazi and Derna were also attacked on the following night by our bombers. Full details of these operations are not yet available, but it is known that considerable damage was caused. MOPPING UP IN ABYSSINIA. "During operations over Tobruk yesterday three Junkers 87's were shot down by anti-aircraft fire. In Abyssinia our aircraft continued to assist our troops in mopping up operations. Attacks were made mainly on enemy motor transports retreating along the roads. "In Syria bombing attacks were made on Palmyra aerodrome, where a number of German transport aircraft on the airfield were attacked. Damascus aerodrome, and Rayak were also bombed and machine-gunned. "Raids were also made on Raschid i aerodrome in Irak. A number of fires were started at Calato aerodrome on Rhodes as a result of a raid carried out on the night of May 17-18. j "During enemy attacks on our aerodromes in Crete a Dornier and another unidentified aircraft were shot down by anti-aircraft fire. From all these operations one of our aircraft is missing." A PILOT'S COURAGE. Splendid pluck and endurance were shown by a pilot officer engaged in an attack on the aerodrome of Gazala in Libya. Diving very low, with total disregard of the heavy ground fire, he sprayed two large enemy aircraft on the ground until they were destroyed. Then he swooped on a concentration of mechanised transport, braving a hail of* machine-gun bullets. He received wounds in the head and shoulders and was losing blood rapidly when he turned his aircraft towards the Egyptian frontier 250 miles away. Lacking sufficient strength to reach his squadron's base, he made a successful landing within the British lines, where he fainted as he was helped from the cockpit.—U.P.A.