LIBYA BOMBING

Grey River Argus, 31 July 1940, Page 8

LIBYA BOMBING

By R.A.F. Planes [British Official Wireless] RUGBY, July 23 An R.A.F. Cairo eommumque states: Several reconnaissance flights were carried out over Eastern Lmyu by bombing aircraft, escorted oy hghters. During one of these, a iar s . formation of enemy fighters were met, and in th e subsequent action Om.enemy plane was shot down. One oz cur aircraft is missing. During another reconnaissance, two Italian lighters, seen on the ground,, were attacked, and both wer e destroy-, ed by fire. ■ ITALIAN CLAIMS. ROME, July 29. A communique states: Beyond tne frontier of Cyrenaica, Italian aviation pursued bombing and machine-gpn actions against enemy formations ana armoured cars, making effective hits. In an aerial battle, two enemy planes were shot down. Two of our planes failed to return. EAST AFRICA OPERATIONS. CAIRO, July 29. An RA.F. communique stated: in Italian East Africa, a bombing ana machine-gunning attack was made on the aerodrome at Mille. One Italian bomber was totally destroyed, and two others were damaged. French pilots and crew s operated with the R.A.F., and carried out vaiuable reconnaissance work in the Diredawa area. . A contingent of South Airican troops have arrived in Kenya. His Majesty sent a message of confidence, stating: “With your help, our cause will triumph.” A Nairobi communique states. Ota Air Force successfully bombed concentrations of enemy troops and camel trains, and a post in the neighbourhood of Moyale. Only light antiaircraft opposition was encounterea. EGYPTIAN SECTORS. [British Official Wireless] RUGBY, July A Cairo communique states: In Egypt, in the Western Desert, an observation patrol of light armoured fighting vehicles, which had penetrated far behind the enemy’s lines, was spotted and subjected to a continuous low-flying attack by Italian bombers and fighters. There were some casualties to both men ana vehicles. . ... On other fronts, there is nothing of importance.

MAuTA RAIDED.

s RUGBY, July 29

Enemy bombers, escorted by a dozen fighters, raided Malta, yesterday. Only slight damage was done, One of the enemy fighters was brought down by anti-aircraft file, and crashed into the sea.

BRITISH PLANES.

CAIRO, July 23

An R.A.F. report states:—A Sunderland flying-boat, patrolling the Memterannean, attacked three ships. Ine result of the bombing is not yet known. Th e Sunderland was attacked by three formations of enemy monoplane fighters, but maintained a running action throughout . its return flight. One of the Italian fighters was shot down in flames, and another was driven down, out of control. Th o Sunderland returned safely. Another Sunderland on patrol was also attacked by enemy fighters, one of which broke up in the air. Another gave up the combat, in a bad-ly-damaged condition. The Sunderland returned safely to its base.