LIBYAN CAMPAIGN

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 May 1942, Page 5

LIBYAN CAMPAIGN

PATROL ACTIVITY.

RUGBY, May 19

A Middle East communique states: “Our patrols continue to be active on the whole front. On the central sector, enelny working parties were dispersed by one of our columns. Otherwise, there is nothing to report.”

AERIAL ATTACKS.

RUGBY, May 19.

An R.A.F. Middle East communique states: Enemy camps and motor transport in Cyrenaica were effectively attacked by our fighter aircraft yesterday. Benghazi harbour, and traffic on the Benghazi-Chemines road were again the principal objectives for our bomber aircraft, on Sunday night. Fighterswere active ovei- Malta yesterday morning, and in the course of combats, which developed over the island, our aircraft shot down five fighters and three bombers. On Sunday night one Italian bomber was destroyed by our night fighters. Four of ours are missing. ,The crew of one of our bombers, lost on Saturday night, have now reached safety. ATTACKS~ON MALTA RUGBY, May 19. Italian E-boats, along with bomber and fighter planes have joined with the Germans in the recent attacks on Malta, according to an agency message which also states that the operations of E-boats, evidently under German pressure, continued to be the topic of cheerful conversation. Distant flashing was seen, and this gave the R.A.F. gunners their chance. Up to Monday evening, five German and three Italian fighters had been destroyed, and four damaged. Numbers of enemy aircraft have since been seen patrolling the coast searching for lost crews. The British lost two aircraft. The pilot of one is safe. Antiaircraft assisted the fighters to ward off attacks. There was no damage to civilian property. GENERAL~SMUTS

CAIRO, May 18

General Smuts visited the South African base and forward troops. He toured battlegrounds and discussed the situation with General Ritchie. While travelling along the coast under a sweltering sun, General Smuts left his car, undressed and said: “I am going for a swim in the Mediterranean, and I am not asking Mussolini’s permission.” During one of many short speeches, he said he was sure that the side on which America was included could not humanly lose the war. He added: “Great things may soon be moving by the Indian Ocean.”