Thank you for correcting the text in this article. Your corrections improve Papers Past searches for everyone. See the latest corrections.

This article contains searchable text which was automatically generated and may contain errors. Join the community and correct any errors you spot to help us improve Papers Past.

Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image

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.

Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MT19410507.2.34

Bibliographic details

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

Word Count
248

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

Help

Log in or create a Papers Past website account

Use your Papers Past website account to correct newspaper text.

By creating and using this account you agree to our terms of use.

Log in with RealMe®

If you’ve used a RealMe login somewhere else, you can use it here too. If you don’t already have a username and password, just click Log in and you can choose to create one.


Log in again to continue your work

Your session has expired.

Log in again with RealMe®


Alert