SMASHING RAIDS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20379, 16 October 1940, Page 6

SMASHING RAIDS

R.A.F. IN AFRICA BENGHAZI BATTERED WHARVES AND SHIPPING INTENSE BOMBARDMENT BASES IN ERITREA (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 1.30 p.m. RUGBY, Oct. 15. The Air Ministry hews service has made public details of a series of raids which were carried out on Sunday and yesterday on Benghazi by bombing aircraft of the Royal Air Force. During the first raid, the main railway sidings were attacked with great success. One ship moored at the Mole D’ltalia received a direct hit. During another raid the jetty and wharves were the main objectives. Bombs fell among buildings on the quay and started fires. Direct hits were also registered on the main mole. A number of bombs fell on the barracks. The largest ship in the harbour was bombed and hit. A very large fire was started near a seaplane hangar and direct hits were also registered by the last raiders on buildings along the waterfront and a direct hit was scored on a medium-sized ship. All the Royal Air. Force aircraft returned from this highly successful operation without loss. Bardia and an encampment at Sofafi and Buq Buq were raided on the evening of Sunday. All the .bombs fell in the target area but it was not possible to ascertain the full extent of the damage.

In Eritrea military objectives at Gura were again subjected to an intense air attack. A direct hit on a large building started a series of explosions. Three hangars were bombed with success. A subsequent lowlevel dive attack resulted in six small and two large buildings being completely burnt out. Fires were also started on the south side of the main road.