BENGHAZI AGAIN

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20632, 13 August 1941, Page 5

BENGHAZI AGAIN

BRITISH AIR RAIDS DEPOTS AND SHIPPING AXIS PLANES DOWNED (Elec. Tel Copyright,—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. noon. RUGBY, Aug. 12. A Royal Air Force Middle East communique slates that extensive raids were carried out by aircraft of thUj Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm on enemy positions and aerodromes in' Libya during the night of August 10-11. “A particularly heavy attack was made on Benghazi,” continues the communique. "Many tons or bombs, all of which fell in the target area, were dropped on motor, transport and repair sections, as well as on railway sidings, yards and dock installations. Four violent explosions and many fires were caused. “Our bombers also machine-gunned an aerodrome south of Benghazi and motor transport was dispersed on the Tobruk-Bardia road. Aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm attacked motor transport workshops at Bardia. Several large bombs dropped on the workshop buildings and in the compound started tires and destroyed many mechanised vehicles. “The harbour of Tripoli was' again bombed. One hit on a power station caused a violent explosion which was seen 100 miles away. One ot our attacking aircraft came down to a low level and machine-gunned searchlight posts. Hits With Torpedoes “Other aircraft of the Royal Air Force raided the landing ground at Gazafa. Fires were seen to break out. Some of the bombs burst close to aircraft. A large column of black smoke was observed. This target was also machine-gunned from a low level. "During the same night Swordfish aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm attacked a ship of 1300 tons in Syracuse harbour and two direct hits with torpedoes are believed to have been scored. One caused an explosion amidships. The aircraft also dropped bombs on the Gerbini aerodrome, Sicily. “During yesterday Tomahawks of the South African Air Force shot down one of four Me 110 s encountered off the Egyptian coast. Royal Air Force Hurricane fighters shot down a Henschel 12G. “On August 10 aircraft of the Royal Air Force bombed a collier at Lampedusa and left it sinking down by the stern. Patches of oil were all that could be seen near the position. On the following day a Sunderland shot down a Dornier 24 over the Mediterranean. “From all operations our aircraft returned safely.”