TOBRUK PATROLS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20637, 18 August 1941, Page 6

TOBRUK PATROLS

AGGRESSIVE TACTICS WIDESPREAD R.A.F. RAIDS (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 2.15 p.m. RUGBY. Aug. 17. A communique issued by General Headquarters, Cairo, states: “Our patrols at Tobruk continue their activity, inflicting casualties on enemy working parties. “In the frontier area the situation remains unchanged.” A communique issued by the Royal Air Force Headquarters in the Middle East reports a heavy raid on Catania on Friday night. Many heavy bombs were dropped on the central mole, railway, customs buildings and warehouses, causing one large fire and many smaller ones. Later, an explosion occurred, with flames rising 800 ft., which were visible 70 . miles away. , “Fighter sweeps were carried out over southern Italy yesterday, but no combats resulted. “During Friday night bombers raided Berka and Benina aerodromes and the ports of Bardia and Benghazi. At Benina direct hits were scored on hangars and administrative buildings. The control offices'were set on fire and a number ol explosions were caused. “At Berka, dispersed aircraft were attacked. Enemy gun positions east of our defences at Tobruk were heavily bombarded by a combined force of fighters of the Royal AitForce and South African Air Force. Our fighters intercepted and damaged an Italian bomber over Gambut. “Malta was raided four times on Friday night, but only very minor damage was caused. From all these operations one of our aircraft is missing.”