AXIS LIBYAN FORCES

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 32, 6 August 1941, Page 7

AXIS LIBYAN FORCES

POUNDED BY BOMBERS

NEW R.A.F. EXCURSIONS

(Rec. 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, August 5

An R.A.F. Middle East communique states: "R.A.F. bombers carried out a number of successful operations over Cyrenaica during the night of August 3-4. One formation attacked the port of Derna, causing considerable damage and starting a number of fires. Two buildings at the base of the mole were destroyed.

"Bombs were also dropped on the landing-ground and on a battery, which was silenced. Other aircraft attacked the landing-ground and dispersal area at.Gazala, causing a series of explosions and several fires. Huts ■ and a camp in the vicinity were machine-gunned from a few hundred feet and about 25 tents caught fire. i The Martuba landing-ground was also bombed, and fires and explosions were observed among the dispersed aircraft. SHIPPING ATTACKED. "An attack was delivered on enemy shipping off the coast near Appollonia. Hits were made on one ship and possibly on another. Enemy merchant , vessels were again attacked in the , same area yesterday and two are believed to have been hit. "R.A.F. bombers carried out a successful attack on shipping in the harbour at Taipoli on August 3. A merchant vessel of about 8000 tons was hit by a heavy bomb and a violent explosion followed, throwing a great quantity of wreckage mot the air. RESULTS OF EARLIER RAIDS. "Two direct hits were obtained on military buildings which were also machine-gunned. "A reconnaissance of Reggio (in Italy) showed that in' the attack reported in yesterday's communiqae. 10 Macchi 200's and a Breda 20 were destroyed, while about 20 more Macchis were damaged, several very badly.

"From the above operations all our aircraft i-eturiied safely."—B.O.W.