Capture of Air Base Claimed By Berlin

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 107, 7 May 1941, Page 5

Capture of Air Base Claimed By Berlin

BRITISH SAY SITUATION IS ‘ ‘DIFFICULT” LONDON, May 5. Iraqi troops have occupied Habbaniyah air base, according to the Berlin radio, which added that Basra was now completely encircled. British sources In Cairo said that the situation at Habbaniyah was “difficult” but that Basra was quiet. The British, apart from these two points, had only construction gangs working on the Baghdad-Haifa road. The gang which, according to to-day’s Cairo communique, the Iraqis attacked at Butba consisted mainly of workmen belonging to local tribes, plus a small number of British sapper officers and rankers. Bfitish sources in Cairo said that the Iraqis had probably captured these troops. TTie German news agency said that great damage had been caused at Habbaniyah aerodrome. British oil dumps were set on fire. Lively artillery fire is reported to continue on both sides. The Baghdad radio said that British leaflets dropped on Baghdad warned the population that continued resistance would result in British planes bombing official buildings in the city. The Baghdad radio declared that, if the threat were carried out, Iraqi planes would bomb British residences. Iraqi sources at Beirut claimed that two British transport planes were shot down, resulting in 37 deaths. The Egyptian Government has appealed to the Iraqi leaders to cease their disturbances and reach a peaceful settlement with Britain, because the interests of the whole Arab world are linked up with those of the democracies. A similar appeal has been made by Turkey.