WESTERN DESERT BATTLE

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 December 1940, Page 7

WESTERN DESERT BATTLE

1,000 PRISONERS TAKEN ITALIAN COMMANDER KILLED [BY CABLE—PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] , RUGBY, December 9. A Cairo communique issued, today, states: In the Western Desert' advanced elements of our forces are now in contact with the enemy on a broad front. In an engagement south of Sidi Barrani, we captured 500 prisoners. Last night, our patrols continued extensive activities in the Gallabat area in the Sudan, while our artillery again successfully engaged enemy targets. There is nothing to report on the other fronts. LATER. A special Cairo communique states: Operations in the Western Desert are extending satisfactorily. Five hundred prisoners have already been captured in one area alone, while more are being rounded up. The General Officer Commanding one of the Italian forces engaged was killed, and the second in command was captured. The latest report states that the British have taken a total of 1,000 Italian prisoners.

AERAL SUCCESSES. LONDON, December 8. It is officially announced that Royal Air Force bombers last night heavily raided Castel Benito, near the town of Tripoli, on the coast of Libya. They set fire to many hangars and destroyed at least eight aeroplanes on the ground. Hits were scored on all five hangars on the aerodrome. Two were set on fire, causing tremendous explosions among petrol and bomb dumps. The administrative quarters were also hit and large fires were started. Other hangars were damaged by incendiary bombs and machine-gun fire. The attack was apparently a complete surprise and all the British aeroplanes returned. It is now learned that of three Italian bombers which raid a British post only one escaped, and that was- damaged. LATER. Photographic reconnaissance confirmed that extensive damage was done during the raid on Castel Benito.

DROMES AND HANGARS BOMBED RUGBY, December 9. A communique from R.A.F. headquarters in the Middle East says: “In the Western Desert, bomber aircraft of the R.A.F. attacked the Benina aerodrome on the night of December 8-9. One hangar was burnt out. Three other fires were started. Incendiary and high explosive bombs fell among aircraft, dispersed north of the hangars. A large number is believed to have been- damaged. One enemy aircraft was set on fire. Aircraft of the Rhodesian squadron carried out a bombing attack at Adarbed, Italian East Africa. A direct hit was registered on a machine-gun post, and a number of fires started. Bombs also fell among stores, and dumps. A second machine-gun post was silenced by machine-gun fire from our aircraft. During a raid on Asmara, on December 7, fire was caused, and aerodrome hangars hit. At Burria, Italian East Africa, a bomb burst among sheds, starting a large petrol fire. Enemy fighters were intercepted during the raid, and one of our aircraft was shot down. The crew were seen escaping by parachute.

ITALIAN VERSION. (Recd. Dec. 10, 11.45 a.m.). LONDON, December 9. An Italian communique states: The R.A.F. bombed Tripoli, Benghazi, and Gallabat. Italian artillery routed enemy mechanised columns in North Africa. EGYPTIAN CLAIM. CAIRO, December 9. The Egyptian Government has protested strongly against Italian bombing of Alexandria, and has demanded an immediate indemnity. RIOT IN CAMP. (Recd. Dec. 10, 11.45 a.m.). CAIRO, December 9. Seven persons were killed and nine injured, in a riot at an Egyptian internment camp, states the Egyptian Ministry of the Interior. Some alien undesirables were confined to camp. The prisoners attacked the guards with lead-piping. The guards, after firing a blank volley, used live ammunition. Order was restored.