MIDDLE EAST SCENE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 141, 16 May 1941, Page 6

MIDDLE EAST SCENE

R.A.F. ACTIVITIES

lUnitcu I'ic-t.a Aoocciation-Copyright* (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 1.10 p.m.) RLGBSI', May 15. An 11.A.J.'. Middle .bast coininiuiique states: ".In Cyrenaica on the night of i\iay 12-1 J twmberes oi * tne ii.A.l*'. aaicled Benghazi and direct bite were ecored cm the railway, buildings at military headquarters, Government buildings, and tliu base of the Cathedral iiioie. oome tires were started but detailed 'observations on the damage were difficult. Numerous reconnaissance tligniti and tighter patrolcs were carried out over tne enemy territory in Cyrenaica yesterday. In the Dodecanese Islands on the previous night the aerodromes at Maritza and Calato were attacked. Fires were started and many bom Us lell near dispersed aircraft. "In Iraq our aircraft continued to attack the rebel positions and other objectives of military value, such ay aerodromes, railways, and motor transport. Aniara, Hashed, Mosul and the railway line to Bagdad were all raided. "In Central Abyssinia direct hits were obtained on Fort Mendi and ma-chine-gun posts and troops were attacked by aircraft of the South African Air Force.

'•On the night of May 13-14 enemy aircraft raided * Malta. slight damage wiih caused to R.A.E. property, but there were no casualties, either civilian or military. Another small raid was carried out yesterday, but our fighters intercepted the enemy and drove them off.

In all these operations two of our aircraft have been lost, but the pilot of one escaped safely by parachute.