DESERT FORAYS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20379, 16 October 1940, Page 9

DESERT FORAYS

BRITISH PATROLS WORRYING ITALIANS PERSISTENT AIR RAIDS SEA FIGHT RECOUNTED VERSION FROM ROME (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Tress Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 2.50 p.m. RUGBY, Oct. 14. A Cairo communique issued to-day states: “There is no change in the situation in Egypt. In the Sudan yesterday our mechanised patrols encountered and inflicted heavy casualties on 120 of the enemy astride the River Gash 20 miles to the south-east of Kassala. On the same day our forward positions in the Gallabat area were bombed with no damage or casualties. On other fronts there is nothing to report.

A Royal Air Force Cairo communique issued to-day states that raids on Tobruk were carried out on the night of Saturday, and the early hours of yesterday morning by bombing aircraft. Royal Air Force bombs fell on the target area, but it was not possible to ascertain the full extent of the damage. In Ertrea a series of attacks were made on Gura. The aerodrome was subjected to a heavy bombardment and considerable damage was caused. An enemy bomber attempted to raid Aden yesterday, but no damage and no casualties resulted. One of the British fighters on patrol' intercepted an enemy plane and as a result of the attack the central engine, of the Italian bomber was seen to be on fire. Italians Outwitted A British aircraft operating from Malta on reconnaissance duty, was attacked by an Italian bomber which, however, was quickly outmanoeuvred and damaged during the engagement. The British aircraft was later attacked by another Italian bomber, the rear-gunner of which was probably killed. The enemy aircraft was severely damaged. During this engagement the Royal Air Force aircraft was attacked from behind by the enemy machine. With the arrival of five or six other enemy aircraft the British plane took avoiding action and continued the reconnaissance. Two successful attacks were made on the Lavello aerodrome in Abyssinia by South African Air Force squadrons during Saturday night and yesterday morning and heavy and incendiary bombs fell among the hangars of the aerodfome buildings. A machine-gun post was quickly silenced. Other South African aircraft carried out numerous reconnaissance flights over enemy territory. From all of these, operations the British aircraft returned safely. A communique issued at Nairobi today states that the South African Air Force twice successfully attacked Yawaldo. Heavy explosive and incendiary bombs fell among the hangars and other aerodrome buildings. A machine-gun post was silenced. All the planes returned safely. German Shock Troops A Berlin message states that German shock troops serving in Africa attached to Marshal Graziani's forces are believed to be an experimental corps. The object is to gain experience in operating in the tropics. An Italian communique says:— “Italian artillery repulsed British armoured cars attempting an attack to the south-east, of Sidi Barrani. Three British ships shelled Italian positions around Sidi Barrani without causing damage.” The Rome radio, supplementing the official details of the story of a Mediterranean battle recounted yesterday stated: "A flotilla of three Italian torpedo boats in the Sicily channel discovered a British naval squadron. The flotilla leader ordered full • steam ahead and attacked a British, cruiser with three torpedoes at a distance of about a quarter of a mile and also fired. several gunshots. Our torpedo boats had to suffer heavy pounding from the cruiser and the flotilla leader was heavily struck and sank with the commander reporting by wireless to the base that it was sinking. A second torpedo boat also sank after being struck by several gunshots. Fire broke out aboard one of our destroyers which came to the aid of the torpedo boats. The destroyer was taken in tow. It proved to be unable to proceed and consequently was blown up by its own' crew who took to the boats. They saw the British cruiser sink.”