SPLENDID WORK

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 141, 16 May 1941, Page 5

SPLENDID WORK

R.A.F. IN MIDDLE EAST.

WIDESPREAD OPERATIONS. (United Press Association—Copyright? (British Official Wireless. )) (Rec. 11 a.m.) RUGBY, May 15. Widely spread operations by the R.A.F., including the first appearance of the South African Air Force in Cyrenaica are recorded in. an R.A.F. communique issued this morning, which states : In the Mediterranean aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm made a highly successful attack on an enemy convoy southhound during the night of May 12-13. Hits were made on an 8000 ton merchant vessel and a destroyer. The merchant vessel blew up with violent explosions and the destroyer was last scon with clouds of .smoke pouring from it. The pilots confirm that this was not a smoke screen.

I In Cyrenaica, on May 12, R.A.F. bombers successfully attacked enemy aircraft on the Gamhut landing ground. Aircraft of the South African Air Force were in action for the first time in this theatre. In the Dodecanese, Islands on the night of May 12-13 R.A.F. heavy bombers attacked the landing ground ill Kattayia (Rhodes). Some minutes after their bombs burst three violent explosions occurred. Malta was attacked on the night of May 12-13 by enemy aircraft. There was .slight damage hut no casualties. Yesterday a further raid resulted in the destruction _ of ten houses, the death of one civilian and injury to twelve of tiers.

In Crete, enemy aircraft made n continuous attack on Suda Bav during May 12-13. but no damage was caused.

i PART IX ABYSSINTA. In Abyssinia R.A.F. and the South African Air Force bombers and fighters were active on May 12. Direct hits were scored on the'fort at Amba Alagi and enemy positions were machine-gunned. Troops hiding near Sciasciamanrta were bombed and ma-chine-gunned. An enemy camp was ajso attacked and motor transport and ail craft on the landing ground at Lekeinti tnachinc-guniicd. Free French aircraft successfully bombed and machine-gunned 'the aero drome at Gondar yesterday.

From all of these operations two of our aircraft failed to return, but one pilot is safe.