PERSISTENT RAIDS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20569, 31 May 1941, Page 9

PERSISTENT RAIDS

ROYAL AIR FORCE AXIS CRETE POSITIONS AFRICA AND IRAQ ARMS SHIP EXPLODED Tel. Copyright-United Press Aasn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 3 p.m. RUGBY, May 29. Widespread operations by the Royal Air Force over the Mediterranean, including the bombing of a ship laden with munitions, are recorded in a Royal Air Force Middle East communique, which states: “Heavy attacks were continued against concentrations of 'German troops and aircraft on the beaches of Crete and the aerodrome at Malemi during the night of May 27. Over 100 enemy aircraft on the beach between Kolmuari and the Speliakos River were successfully attacked, several fires being started among them and a number of explosions caused.

“On • Scarpanto, a neighbouring islaud, a stick of bombs fell across the aerodrome and started another fire.

“In Iraq continuous air support was given to successful operations by our ground forces, which resulted in the capture of Khan Nuqta yesterday morning.

“Fighters maintained patrols during the. day With our troops advancing towards. Baghdad. .At Baquaba two enemy’aircraft Were itthchine-guhned and'severely damaged. Raids were carried out on the aerodrome at Deir and on Palmyra where bombs burst near hangars and grounded aircraft wete damaged by machine-gun fire.

“Benghazi was again raided. Bombs striddled the mole and workshops and started big fires. Derna was also bombed and hits were observed on the barracks and the port control buildings. A motor vessel of between 4000 and 5000 tons was attacked at Sfax harbour, Tunisia, by a Royal Air Force bomber. All the bombs made direct hits and from the enormous explosion and vast column of smoke which resulted it was apparent that the ship was loaded with munitions.

“In Abyssinia our aircraft bombed and machine-gunned military objectives at Gondar and Debarec, obtaining direct hits on buildings. Free French aircraft bombed and machinegunned the aerodrome at Azozo. "From all of these operations two of bur planes are missing.” A Cairo communique states: “In Abyssinia, operations by out own troops and by Patriots are continuing satisfactorily in all areas. In an engagement east of Fallujah, Iraq, British forces captured one Iraqi rebel offiibr and 92 other ranks. The situation remains calm at Basra, from which base another British force is advancing up the Euphrates.”