MIDDLE EAST

Evening Star, Issue 23620, 5 July 1940, Page 7

MIDDLE EAST

HEAVY TOLL OF ITALIAN PLANES SIXTY DESTROYED IN THREE WEEKS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, July 4. (Received July 5, at 9.45 a.m.) The destruction yesterday of three more Italian aircraft during a raid on Macacca, in Eritrea, is stated in Cairo to bring the total number of Italian aeroplanes brought down in the Middle East area to 60—the result of three weeks’ fighting. The total includes fighters and bombers shot down and machines destroyed on the ground. A further 25 aeroplanes have probably been destroyed. BOMBS ON ALEXANDRIA LITTLE DAMAGE DONE ALEXANDRIA, July 4. (Received July 5, at 8 a.m.) Ten Italian planes dropped about 20 bombs on Alexandria. Little damage was done. FRONTIER ENGAGEMENT ITALIANS SUFFER REVERSE LONDON, July 4. (Received July 5, at 10.25 a.m.) It is authoritatively stated that the British successfully engaged the Italians in the Moyale area. Italians, considerably superior in numbers to the British, crossed the frontier some distance from Moyale and worked round to attack a British post from the rear. The British commander sent immediately for reinforcements, which arrived and attacked the Italians, who were driven out of our territory. R.A.F. BOMBERS ACTIVE DIRECT HITS ON GUN POSITIONS CAIRO, July 4, (Received July 5, at 10.25 a.m.) A R.A.F communique states: “Cooperating with the South African Army bombers of the R.A.F. attacked heavy gun positions near Bandar camp in the Moyale district. Bombs scored direct bits on gun positions, and a big explosion occurred nearby, probably due to the blowing up of an ammunition dump. R.A.F. planes machine-gunned troops taking cover in a ravine and in woods. AH our planes returned. MITTELHAUSER REPLACED LONDON, July 4. (Received July 5, at 2 p.m.) The ‘ Daily Mail’s ’ Cairo correspondent reveals that General Massiet has replaced General Mittelhauser, Commander of the French army in Syria.