Incessant Pounding From the Air

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 307, 16 December 1940, Page 8

Incessant Pounding From the Air

ITALIAN AERODROMES BATTTERED (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Dec. 13. Bomber and lighter aircraft of {he R.A.F. maintained Incessant attacks on enemy aerodromes and troop and motor-transport conemtrations in Libya throughout Wednesday night and Thursday, says R.A.F. headquarters in the Middle East. A particularly heavy raid was carried out on Tobruk, the Italian naval base tn Libya, during the night. Many tons of bombs were dropped on the town and harbour. Fires were observed burning fiercely in many places, and violent explosions and fires near petrol dumps were seen from Solium Bay by our aircraft on the return journey. There was also a heavy explosion in the vicinity of Italian ammunition stores. At El Adem, near Tobruk, hangers were seen completely gutted by previous raids. Aircraft on the ground were heavily machine-gunned. Flames R.Ve 1000 Feet Heavy raids were also made en Bardia, bombs causing a violent explosion in a stores dump, part of which was on fire, the flames rising 1000 feet Enemy aircraft on the ground were machine-gunned, and three CF-42’s were destroyed. At El Mini, one S-79 was shot up, and other aircraft were badly damaged. In all, more than a dozen enemy aerodromes and landing-grounds were raided, and considerable damage was done. Fighter aircraft patrolled throughout the day, covering the troops pursuing and harassing the retreating enemy. Much mechanical transport was destroyed, and troops on the line of "mmunications were demoralised. Aircraft of the Royal Australian Air Force added to their previous successes, shooting down three CR-42’s. One British eight-gun fighter Attacked two S-79 J s single-handed, despite the fact that the enemy bombers were escorted by a large number of CR-42’s. One S-79 was shot down, and the other is believed to have been destroyed. In East Afica Two British bombers and one fighter failed to return, but, in view of the intensive operations, it is possible that they are safe. In Italian East Africa, Yavello was raided for the ninth time on Wednesday by Bouth African Air Force machines. One three-engined bomber was directly hit and exploded, and two others were set on fire. Three more Caproni aircraft received extensive damage. Aircraft of the Rhodesian squadron, co-operating with R.A.F. bombers, carried out raids on an enemy camp at Gubba. Many huts were destroyed by direct hits, and large fires were started which could be seen 40 miles from the tarrget, spreading rapidly. Motor transport and workshops were attacked at Laoarre, near Dire Dawa, where two large sheds were bombed and set on fire. Enemy aircraft raided Pozreghed, causing some damage. One enemy aircraft was last seen flying low in flames.