Anglo-Italian Activity Is Noticeable In Middle East

Northern Advocate, 14 September 1940, Page 7

Anglo-Italian Activity Is Noticeable In Middle East

(Received 1 p.m.) LONDON, September 33. THE CAIRO CORRESPONDENT OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS OF GREAT BRITAIN SAYS INTERMITTENT EXCHANGES OF ARTILLERY FIRE BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND ITALIAN OUTPOSTS ARE REPORTED TO BE INCREASING.

General Graziani. leader of the Italians in Africa, is reported to be rushing fresh troops to Bardin to compensate for the recent heavv British attacks there.

Bardin was recently heavily bombarded from the sea by British naval units.

A British Official Wireless message states that a communique issued at the British general headquarters in'Cairo says: “To Egypt a thickening up of ‘the enemy’s defences west of the frontier is continuing.

"Beyond the usual raid on Mersa Matruh, air activity is slight. It is now confirmed that one enemy aircraft was brought down by anti-aircraft fire on tho night of (September 10-13. On other fronts there are no operations to report.”

lit Kestya

An unofficial communique issued in Nairobi (Kenya) states that patrols are active on all parts of the front. One encountered superior enemy forces at Wal Garis, on the frontier of Italian Somaliland, and inflicted casualties. British casualties were very slight.

No news is available from British sources regarding Italian claims that the invasion of Egypt has begun. The Cairo correspondent of “The Times” says that the Royal Air Force, the South African Air Force, the Rhodesian squadron and French units have carried out more than 250 successful bombing raids during the last three months.

A Rome Communique,

A Rome communique states that an Italian submarine reached its base after sinking a 10,000-ton tanker and an 8,000-ton cargo vessel in the Atlantic.

Italian aircraft continued night and day raids against the enemy troop concentrations, motorised units ,and other military objectives on the Egyptian coast, set fire to an oil depot and damaged several enemy lorries, armoured cars, tanks and other formations.

Successful attacks were made on an encampment and barracks at Abidia, also on a column and 20 lorries near Elchaturo, in Kenya. British aircraft raided Massawa, in Eritrea, four times yesterday, damaging' a building, and also bombed Assab, destroying a hospital and some buildings in the centre of the town, causing six deaths and some wounded among the Italian native population.

Other British air raids were made on Asmara and Gura, causing slight damage. The aerodromes of Djimma and Cachamana were bombed, inflicting slight damage. Nine casualties resulted. Italian fighters shot down one enemy plane. Over 250 Successful Raids

The Cairo correspondent of “The Times” says that the Royal Air Force, the South African Air Force, the Rhodesian Squadron, and French units have carried out more than 250 successful bombing raids during the last three months. Over this period fighters and reconnaissance machines of the Royal Air Force in the Middle East have flown more than 2,500,000 miles. A Royal Air Force communique issued at Cairo states: “Our bombers yesterday launched a series of raids against Libya, starting four fires at Amseat, and bombing the landing ground at Derna, bombs falling among aircraft. “Two large fires broke out in the harbour and on the jetty at Derna, and several fires were started at Bardia. “The South African Air Force bombed Sciasciamanna, in Central Abyssinia, and destroyed one aeroplane and damaged four.” .