HARASSING RAIDS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20328, 17 August 1940, Page 11

HARASSING RAIDS

ROYAL AIR FORCE ITALIANS IN AFRICA 170 PLANES DESTROYED WIDE DEVASTATION STORES, ’DROMES & PORTS /Elec. Tel. Copyright —United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 2.15 p.m. RUGBY, Aug. 15. Practically every day and night during the past two months Royal Air Force bomber and fighter squadrons have been harrying the Italians at every possible point. Since June 19, which saw the first direct success against the Italian Air Force, more than 170 Italian aircraft of various tvpes have been destroyed. On June "19 no fewer than eight enemy aircraft were destroyed in air engagements or on the ground, and one enemy three-engined bomber 1 was forced down and captured. Against a total of 170 for the comparative period, the Royal Air Force losses numbered only 18 aircraft. The number of actual raids on Italian aerodromes, garrison posts, naval bases and ports already exceeds 150, and incalculable damage has been caused. The aerodrome and military post at Macaca has been raided on 30 occasions and many tons of bombs have been dropped with great effect. Extensive Damage A great amount of damage has been caused in frequent raids by Blenheim squadrons to stores, depots and aerodromes at the port of Derna. In one raid 50 enemy fighters and bombers were found grouped on the airfield and were severely bombed. On 12 occasions shipping at Tobruk, together with the barracks and a submarine quay, have been bombed, In addition to these outstanding actions, constant reconnaisance raids have been carried out over every part of enemy territory. Typical of such reconnaissance flights was one which was attacked by 50 enemy fighters. The Royal Air Force pilots successfully fought their way through this hostile cloud of planes, destroying several and the reconnaissance was completed without further hindrance. Air observers in London consider the result of the air actions against the Italians of which the above are but a few examples, are encouraging proof of the quality of the Royal Air Force pilots and machines and the vigour with which the air war is being prosecuted in the Middle East.