RHODES BOMBED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 12 February 1941, Page 5

RHODES BOMBED

R.A.F. ACTIVITY CALATO HEAVILY ATTACKED AIRCRAFT DESTROYED (British Official Wireless) (Received 12th February, 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, 11th February. Highly successful bombing operations against Rhodes are among the many activities recorded in the R.A.F. Middle East communique, which states that during a lull in North Africa R.A.F. activity has been continued on other fronts. Heavy bombers again attacked Calato, on the island of Rhodes and dropped several tons of bombs on the aerodrome and dispersed aircraft around it. Buildings and aircraft were seen to be ablaze and it is confirmed that ten aircraft were destroyed and others damaged. In Albania buildings at Tepelene and Dukat were set on fire by bombs dropped by other R.A.F. bombers. A large enemy bomber formation composed of Breda 20’s and S79’s escorted by 20 CR42’s attempted to attack Jannina yesterday. They were intercepted by a formation of our fighters which shot down one Breda 20 and one 579 and damaged several others. It is now confirmed that as the result of the engagement in Kelcyra area yesterday three further enemy aircraft were destroyed. In Italian East Africa yesterday a motor transport yard near the station at Asmara was attacked by our bombers. Stores in a wood near Keren were also bombed and in the same area on the previous day bombing attacks were made on the railway tracks. In Kalana area native troop concentrations were attacked by a South African Air Force squadron with high explosive and incendiary bombs. Last Friday a bombing squadron of the South African Air Force divebombed road bridges and a pontoon bridge at Dolo. The pilots then visited Lugh Ferrandi where they succeeded in destroying hangars on the aerodrome. From all operations our aircraft returned safely. AXIS ADMISSIONS (Received 12th February, 12.50 p.m.) LONDON, 11th February. An Italian communique admits that the R.A.F. bombed localities in Sicily and South Italy last night; and claims that Italian troops repulsed enemy attacks supported by tanks in the upper Sudan. A German communique says that British warships shelled the Flanders coast last night. It reports German air attacks on British ports, the east coast of Malta and the Cyrenaican coast. The R.A.F. bombed nine localities in north Germany, including Hanover. A number of civilians were killed and wounded. SOUTHERN LIBYA BASES TAKEN IN KOUFRA AREA IMPORTANT POST (British Official Wireless) (Received 12th February, 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, 11th February. A communique issued from General De Gaulle’s headquarters in London states: “Our forces from Chad supported by our Air Force are continuing successful operations in southern Libya. A motorised column under Colonel Le Clerc gained ground by taking several bases in the Koufra area. On Friday after a very successful bombing raid carried out by our squadrons in which they destroyed important objectives and numerous aeroplanes on the ground, an Italian air base was stormed. The enemy suffered heavy losses in men and material and our operations are still progressing satisfactorily.” Koufra is an important military post and was a base of first importance for Italian communications between Libya and Abyssinia. It is also the religious centre of the great Mohammedan sect. Six hundred miles of desert separate Koufra from the Chad frontier and the desert in this part of the Sahara is exceptionally difficult for operations.