QUIET IN LIBYA

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20708, 7 March 1942, Page 5

QUIET IN LIBYA

STORMS CHECK RAIDS ITALIAN SHIPS SUNK BOMBING OF MALTA (Elec. Tel. Copyrleht—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) (10.30 a.m.) RUGBY, Mar. fi. A Cairo communique states: “Pleavy rain interfered with our activities yesterday. There is nothing of importance to report.” A communique issued by Royal Air .Force headquarters in the Middle East states: “Objectives at Benghazi and Tripoli were attacked by our bombers on Wednesday night. “In Cyrenaica continued rainstorms restricted aerial activity. A Heinkel 111 was shot down yesterday. “Two Messerschmitt 109’s were destroyed over Malta on Wednesday, and on Wednesday night a Junkers 88 was shot down by a night fighter. Several Junkers, 88 were severely damaged during raids yesterday. “It is now known that two merchantmen were sunk in Palermo harbour during Monday night’s raid. Three of our aircraft are missing.” Contiifuous RaidingMalta had another 24 hours of almost continuous- raiding. Agency messages from the island, dated Thursday, state: “Yesterday afternoon enemy bombers attacked the island and were met by determined opposition by the anti-aircraft defences. Bombs were dropped but no damage is reported. Heavy and light antiaircraft guns each damaged one enemy bomber. There were continuous raids during the night. Enemy aircraft were constantly in the vicinity. “The island’s defences were active. Heavy anti-aircraft guns engaged the enemy. The searchlights were most accurate and succeeded in effecting many illuminations, which assisted our fighters in engaging and destroying one Junkers 88. The bombs dropped caused slight damage to civilian property. There were several ‘alerts’ to-day. Bombs were dropped, causing some casualties to civilian property and a few casualties Tn the last 24 hours one Junkers 88 bomber was damaged by heavy antiaircraft fire.”