WAR IN AFRICA

Hokitika Guardian, 10 July 1940, Page 5

WAR IN AFRICA

ATTACK ON ZULA

SUCST'ANTIAL DAMAGE DONE. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copy right). (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.). RUGBY, July 9. An Admiralty Cairo communique states: “An important enemy base at Zula was attacked by our bombers and direct hits were scored on the jetty and stores. Two fires were started, accompanied by much black smoke. One enemy aircraft was engaged and shot, down at sea. At Massawa, direct hits were registered on camp buildings, causing considerable damage. Two air raids on Malta, one on the evening of July 7th., and the other on Tuesday afternoon, were entirely unsuccessful, as a result of interception by our fighters, and no bombs were dropped.” ATTACK ON CAPUZZO. LONDON, July 9. British forces, pounding 1000 beleaguered Italians at Capuzzo, drove them from; the fort to the surrounding trenches. Armed water convoys escorted by tanks repeatedly'and vainly tried to force a Way through tlje encircling lines, but suffered heavy casualties, which are'demoralising,,the defenders. The British have destroyed 50 lorries in five days. Two Italian fighters attempted to maohine-fiun the .attackers, but British fighters shot them down. The British arc now dominating about 3500 square miles of the Libyan desert and are harassing the Italians so much that they are no longer willing to come out in the open. ITALIAN AIR RAID. ' CAIRO, July 9. A British wav, communique states: Mersamatruh has again been bombed. There were no casualties and no damage.