FIVE SHOT DOWN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20547, 6 May 1941, Page 7

FIVE SHOT DOWN

RAIDERS ON CRETE BRITISH DEFENCES AIR ATTACK PRESSED LIBYA AND ABYSSINIA l Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 11.50 a.m. RUGBY, May 5. British fighter successes against enemy aircraft raiding Crete are recorded in a Royal Air Force Middle East communique which states: “During the night of May 3-4 Royal Air Force bombers raided the Benina aerodrome near Benghazi, causing a number of fires and explosions. The Derna aerodrome was also bombed with similar results. “’Enemy motor transport and mechanised units, some of which were carrying troops, were both bombed and machine-gunned in the Maraua area. A number of motor transport vehicles were destroyed and others damaged and casualties were inflicted on troops. Headquarters Attacked “Other bombers attacked the enemy military headquarters south-east of Tobruk, causing four large fires. "Enemy aircraft raiding Crete were intercepted by fighters. Four of the • nemy were shot down and others damaged. Anti-aircraft fire destroyed a further aircraft and damaged others.

“The Italian headquarters in Abyssinia were machine-gunned by South African Air Force fighters and a vigorous attack was made on stores, dumps, motor transport and troops throughout the day between the Falage Pass and the Dessie road It is estimated that over 100 motor transport vehicles were severely damaged. Stores and dumps were repeatedly hit by bombs.

“From all of these operations, our planes returned safely with the exception of two.”