FIGHTING IN AFRICA

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 April 1941, Page 7

FIGHTING IN AFRICA

ENEMY LOSSES AT TOBRUK

BRITISH NEARER DESSIE

[BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.]

LONDON, April 27.

A Cairo communique says: “In the Tobruk area ’an enemy concentration was successfully broken up by the accuracy and weight of our artillery fire. Round Solium our patrol and artillery activity has been intensified, causing the enemy considerable losses. “Operations about Dessie are continuing, and further penetration has been made to a position covering the town from the south. A considerable patriot force is now co-operating in the area. Further south, operations in all areas are proceeding satisfactorily.” The Air Ministry News Service tells how rousing cheers and shouts accompanied the crackle of Hurricanes’ guns as Royal Air Force fighters over Tobruk flew among the escorted German bombers which raided the town a few days ago. The fighters shot down eight Germans into the sea, and many others were so badly damaged that it is unlikely that they regained their base.

The Hurricanes took off immediately, and quickly shot down four of the enemy. During the engagement about 20 escorting Messerschmitt

109’s attacked from above. The thrilled troops on the ground saw the Hurricanes take on the German fighters with undiminished aggressiveness, and send four diving to destruction. During the action one Hurricane pilot was killed. The Tobruk fighters in this action brought down their forty-fourth enemy aircraft. A Free French lieutenant, who had already a good record, brought down two of the eight, and a squadron leader was equally successful. The spirit of the Tobruk defenders is stated to be high.

RAID ON BENGHAZI

A Royal Air Force Middle East communique issued on Saturday said: “A further heavy raid was made on Benghazi on the night of April 24-25. Direct hits were registered on the mole, and near misses on a tanker, a merchantman, and a tug. Fires were started near military buildings. On the return journey our aircraft bombed and machine-gunned an enemy convoy near El Argub, some 80 miles from Benghazi. All the bombs burst among the enemy vehicles, causing two loud explosions and four very large bright fires. Motor transport and enemy troop concentrations near Akroma and Dorna were also attacked. “In Abyssinia our fighters machinegunned the aerodrome at Combolicia and destroyed two CR42 fighters on the ground. Enemy troops were attacked at Gimma and Argio. On other fronts there is nothing to report. One of our fighters is missing.” A message from Cairo says that the Jugoslav troops and aeroplanes have arrived in the Middle East to join the Allied forces. They received a warm welcome from the population, ' and from the Allied troops, to whom they eagerly recounted their experiences.

OPTIMISM AT CAIRO

LONDON, April 27

Mr Churchill’s statement that there is no uneasiness about Libya is echoed in military circles in Cairo, says the Cairo correspondent of “The Times.” They view the situation optimistically and regard future developments with complete confidence. It is believed that the main body of Italian and German forces in Libya is far behind the advanced patrols. Both the main force and the patrols are finding the going most difficult. The Germans intended to supply their reinforced troops by air, but dashing attacks by the Royal Air Force have disrupted German air communications. ENEMY CROSSES FRONTIER. RUGBY, April 27. A Middle East communique states: There is no change in the situation in the Tobruk area. ( In the Solium area, last evening, enemy detachments crossed the frontier at several points. Our light mobile forces remained in contact with the enemy, harassing their advance. Operations in all areas in Abyssinia are continuing satisfactorily. ITALIAN CLAIMS'. LONDON, April 27. A Rome communique says: Successive waves of German aeroplanes bombed the naval and aerial bases at Malta. There has been artillery activity in the Tobruk sector. Italian and German aeroplanes repeatedly bombed Tobruk on the night of April 24/25 and also attacked mechanised units and enemy artillery in the Solium area. The Italians eastwards of Gama Bia routed the enemy, who left hundreds of dead and much material.”

BOMBARDMENT OF TRIPOLI.

RUGBY, April 26

Results of the naval bombardment of Tripoli were even more successful than was at first thought (states an Admiralty communique). Three transports or supply ships lying in the naval basin were hit and set seriously on fire. One was actually seen to" sink. A fourth ship in the naval basin appears to have been laden with ammunition, for when it was hit by a 15-inch shell, the ship exploded. One supply ship moored off the Spanish Quay was hit by 15inch shells and sank. The Karamanti Mole was hit and set on fire, and a destroyer moored at the mole was heavily hit. Clouds of smoke were seen to be coming from at least three other ships in the harbour, but it was not possible to establish whether this was due to damage or to an attempt to create a smoke screen. It is considered certain that other damage was done to shipping. Harbour facilities also were seriously damaged. Salvoes of 15-inch shells were ‘ seen to fall on the Spanish Quay, sending up a large column of smoke from warehouses and offices. The quay, which is the main unloading quay of Tripoli, was seen to be continuously hit by medium calibre shells. Salvoes of heavy shells were also seen to fall on a narrow approach to Spanish Quay from the land. The Governor’s office and naval headquarters were repeatedly hit, and several salvoes were seen to fall on Karamanti Mole. Military objectives ashore also sustained serious damage, including a main oil fuel depot, a large block' of Government

or military buildings, the main railway station, power station, and military stores depot. No. damage or casualties were caused to the naval units by retaliation of the enemy:

TANK OFFICER’S HEROISM

LONDON, April 25.

Announcing the award of a bar to the Military Cross to Second Lieutennat Duncan, of the Tank Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps, in the North African campaign, the London Gazette states that when Second Lieutenant Duncan’s tank caught fire and

stopped while making an assault, he put out the fire with the aid qf his driver, and climbing out, repelled a number of the enemy who were trying to climb on the tank and others who were crawling to. within bombing range. Though wounded, Second Lieutenant Duncan successfully defended his tank and compelled a number of the enemy to surrender.