EXTENSIVE OPERATIONS

Evening Star, Issue 24002, 29 September 1941, Page 7

EXTENSIVE OPERATIONS

P.A.F. OVER SICILY AND SARDINIA ITALIAN BASES DAMAGED (British Official Wireless.) (Dec. 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, September 28. Extensive operations over Italy, Sardinia, Sicily, and Libya are recorded in a Middle East D.A.F. communique, which states: “Successful attacks on enemy aircraft bases in Sardinia were carried out by aircraft of tho R.A.F. yesterday At Elmas (Sardinia) a base and aerodrome were raided and a large number of seaplanes on the water severely damaged. Other enemy aircraft were attacked in the air over the target. “ Our aircraft also engaged and damaged enemy bombers off the Sicilian coast At Maraala, in Sicily, seaplanes were machine-gunned and damaged, and a number of aircraft ou the ground at Borizzo were extensively damaged and the ground crews machine-gunned. Much material damage was caused at Porto Empedocle, where direct hits were obtained ou an electrical plant and warehouse. Barrack buildings and a road bridge in the neighbourhood were also attacked and a direct hit scored on a bridge “ In the Gulf of Taranto our aircraft successfully bombed -a medium-sized merchant vessel which was set on fire When our aircraft left the scene of the attack tho ship had practically sunk. On the night of September 26-27 the harbour, railway track, and warehouses at Agriegento were bombed, a large fire breaking out at the last-named objective. “In North Africa during daylight operations yesterday our aircraft attacked Bardia Harbour and store dumps in the neighbourhood of the town. Enemy fighters attacked our aircraft, and in the ensuing air combats one Mo. 109 was shot'down, while others were severely damaged. Motor transport at Mcrsalukk was also raided. From all these operations five of our aircraft arc missing. MEDITERRANEAN “CRUISE”

NAVY UNMOLESTED UNSUCCESSFUL SEARCH FOR ENEMY SHIPPING (Rcc. 9.25 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 28. The Associated Press correspondent aboard tho flagship of the Mediterranean Fleet, describing a cruise, said: “This was one of the dullest, owing to lack of action, but it was news because it was the first time the Fleet had not been attacked from the air. Battleships, cruisers, and destroyers swept along tho Libyan coast unsuccessfully searching for enemy shipping It was the biggest movement of warships 1 have seen since the evacuation of Crete.’” ENEMY'S HANDS FULL ELSEWHERE (British Offioial Wireless.) tßeo. 11.55 a.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 28. Battleships of the Eastern Fleet, together with cruisers and destroyers, under tho command of Admiral Cunningham, have been operating during the past two days from Alexandria, during which time they have not seen any sign of the enemy, either air, surface, or underwater craft. Tho movement of the Fleet, the correspondent considers, could not possibly have been unknown to the enemy, since recently ho has maintained numerous reconnaissance patrols over the eastern Mediterranean. “ This lack of initiative, v says tho correspondent, “ coupled with tho recent freedom of Egypt from air raids for a number of days, would seem to indicate that the Nazis are finding their hands full with operations in Russia and the Western Desert.”

ALL QUIET AT TOBRUK FRONTIER PATROLS AGGRESSIVE FOUR ITALIAN OFFICERS CAPTURED (Rec. 11 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 28, A British General Headquarters Cairo communique states: “ Apart from some ineffective enemy artillery fire the situation at Tobruk throughout yesterday was generally quiet. “ In the frontier area our patrols are continuing their aggressive activities. Yesterday a South African patrol captured a car containing four Italian officers.” SLIGHT AIR ACTIVITY NAZI RAIDERS QUIET (British Official Wirelew.) (Rec. 9.52 a.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 28. An Air Ministry and Home Security communique states; “There was little enemy activity before midnight last night. A small number of bombs were dropped at a few points in tho east of England. Very slight damage was done and no casualties are reported.” HEAVILY ARMED BRITAIN'S NEW FIGHTER PLANE (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 9.3 a.m.) RUGBY, Sept, 28. The Beaufightor, Britain’s latest twinengined fighter, with four cannons and six machine guns, has for some months been a valuable part of the striking force of the R.A.F. Coastal Command, says the Air Ministry. The most spectacular success of a Coastal Command Boaufighter in single combat was when one intercepted a Fokker-Wolfo Condor, apparently waiting for a convoy. The fight lasted two seconds. The Beanfighter’s pilot opened it with a short burst, and before he could take his finger off the gun button tho Fokkcr-Woifo disappeared.