WITHOUT RESPITE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20431, 16 December 1940, Page 7

WITHOUT RESPITE

AIR FORCE RAIDS ITALIANS ATTACKED MAIN BASES BOMBED SUPPORT FOR ARMY FIERCE FIRES SPREAD (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 9 a.m. RUGBY, Dec. 15. A communique issued by the Royal Air Force command in the Middle East headquarters states: “Throughout the past 24 hours fighter and bomber aircraft of the Royal Air Force continued: without respite to support the army in the successful operations in the Western Desert. Aerodromes, landing grounds, fuel dumps, and stores of all kinds, including motor transport and troops, were bombed and machine-gunned.

“Derna was very heavily raided on Friday night. Several tons of highexplosive bombs fell on the barracks ar.cl the wireless station, and other military buildings. Fierce fires were caused which spread rapidly. Bardia was again attacked. Direct hits were scored on stores at Gubbi, Gumbut, Derna and Pomi. Gazala was also raided and one CR42 and three S79’s were destroyed on the ground and other enemy aircraft were made unserviceable.

“While continuing to give protection to our advancing troops our aircraft shot down five CR42’s, making the total for the day 15. Four of our Gladiators were lost, but three of the pilots escaped safely by parachute. One of our two bombers, announced in Friday’s communique as having failed to return to its base, is now reported to be safe.

“In Italian East Africa, Guara was attacked, many bombs falling well within the target area. Asmara was also attacked heavily, but the weather prevented an accurate estimate being formed of the damage caused. The Caproni workshops at Mai Agaga suffered hits while the landing grounds were heavily bombed.”