NORTH AFRICA FRONT

Grey River Argus, 21 May 1941, Page 5

NORTH AFRICA FRONT

German Attack at Solium

FOILED BY R.A.F. DIVE

BOMBERS.

,Aus. St N.Z. Cable Assn.l (Received May 20, 7.45 p.m.) LONDON, May 20.

The Germans have failed again in an endeavour to recover lost ground in the much-trampled Solium area. Two German columns sallied out from Fort Capuzzo in an attempt T o force the “Hellfire” Pass. The R.AF. ’planes gave the Germans a taste cf their own medicine by dive-bombing them. LONDON, May 20.

Two enemy columns crossed into Egypt in the Solium area, but were forced back. There are indications that the enemy are preparing a further effort to recover their lost ground.

R.A.F. ATTACKS.

RUGBY, May 19

.A R.A.F. Middle East communique states: “A large formation of aircraft of the R.A.F. and S.A.A.F. carried out attacks on enemy tanks between Fort Capuzzo and Halfaya yesterday. A number of tanks were put out of action, and serious damage was inflicted among many motor transport vehicles. Our fighters carried out extensive patrols, but no decisive engagements resulted. “During the night of May 16/17, the aerodromes at Monastir and Birchleta were raided.

Benghazi and Derna were also attacked the following night by our bombers. Full details of these operations are not yet available, but it is known that considerable damage was caused. During the operations over Tobruk yesterday, three Junkers 87’s were shot down by anti-aircraft fire. Splendid pluck and endurance was shown by a pilot officer engaged in an attack on the aerodrome at Gazala, in Libya. Diving very low, with’ total disregard of heavy ground fire, he sprayed two large enemy aircraft on the ground and until they were destroyed. Then he swooped on a concentration of mechanised transport, braving a hail of machinegun bullets. He received wounds in the head and shoulders, and was losing blood rapidly when he turned .he aircraft towards the Egyptian frontier, 250 miles away. Lacking sufficient strength to reach his squadron's base, he made a successful landing within the British lines, where he fainted as he was being helped from the cockpit. MIDDLE EAST TRADE WAR. LONDON, May 19. New Zealand and Australia are interested in the formation of Imperial Chemical Industries (Turkey), an offshoot of Britain’s £74,000,000 Imperial Chemical Industries. The new company is intended to provide an answer to Germany, who : s aiming to win export markets in Turkey, Iran, Iraq, the Near East, ■nd the Middle East. Two British and wo Turkish directors will be appointed for handling Imperial Ihemical Industries’ exports, not' •nly from Britain, but also from I übsidiaries in New Zealand and Ausralia.