WAR IN AFRICA

Hokitika Guardian, 12 July 1940, Page 5

WAR IN AFRICA

AIR ATTACK

CROP OF ITALIAN PLANES.

(Per British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, July 10,

Six British fighters of the Middled East Command recently raided ah Italian fiontic-r aerodrome, and deliberately waited for tho enemy to take' off and, prepare to attack. When six were in , tho air, a young flying; officer, leading the first, section, gave’ the signal for attack. He shot down, four of the enemy himself. His\ flight-sergeant got two. A third pilot had a- long dog-fight, b.ut eventually; saw his opponent diving headlong to earth. - out of control. A^eanwhile,. more enemy fighters had taken off,?, and the other R.A.F. section went into action. The leader sent the nearest; Italian down in flames, and another' pilot chased, an escaping enemy until, ne shot him down. One of our aircraft was damaged, but tlte pilot baled out and landed safely on the Egyptian side, of "the frontier. ITALIANS CAPTURE SUDAN POST CAIRO, Iluly 11/ •• A British communique, troops, along with artillery and aircraft, occupied the police post of Kurmuk on. Sunday. There was ..a small' garrison of Sudanese police, wild withdrew, after inflicting fifty -casualties. ITALIAN ATTACKS. NAIROBI, July .11. It is officially announced here that: Italian planes dropped eight ,bombs on. Buna. They ’.also machine-gunned Buna. There were no. casualties, - : / The enemy also heavily shelled Moyale*, and attacked the British troops there. There were no details available of this action. OPERATIONS’ CONTINUE. ; ]. (Received this day, at 1Q.0^a.m.).-; V: LONDON, July 1\. ,, An 1 official /communique, issfied*'at Cairo,, says Sidi: Barrari- was-bombed.: yesterday, by enemy aircraft. - Slight;, damage was caused, but- no-casualties,* A formation o/ Blenheims attacked a large petrtil dump near) Toliruk and direct, hits were registered on tlie target’, and large flames aero seen. Several raids were carried out against Macaea aerodrome and landing grounds, on Tuesday 'evening. A direct; hit was registered oh one hangar, much black smoke resulting./ ' /.," i Yesterday, aerodrome buildings were bombed and several fires Started, while another raid, carried out by bombers, supported by fighters, later, destroyed three aeroplanes on the ground by machine j gun fire. All our aircraft returned safely, . , ?../■ FIGHTING AT MOYALE. ’ ■ -. (Received, this day at 11.45 a.m.'),-.’ ■ :. . . RUGBY, July 11. . A- Cai ro' cbthimihique ■ states- there' was fighting in l British .Moyale,* I ' which.'was heavily attacked' oil July • 9th.,- and continues. ’ : FRENCH TROOPS JOIN, UP V < . (Received this day at 11.15. a.m.). • ■ ANKARA- July lib .= About 6000 French soldiers;; including members of General Mift-lehauser s staff, -have reached Palestine, and. joined the'British. ‘ • ;// J , V