GUN POSITIONS BOMBED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 5 August 1941, Page 5

GUN POSITIONS BOMBED

ENEMY FORCES IN TOBRUK ARI A WIDESPREAD~RAIDS BY R.A.F. «Rec 9.50 a.m - Rugby, Aug. 4 An R.A.F. Middle East communique states: "Squadrons of the South African Air Force, flying Maryland bombers. delivered a heavy attack on enemy gun positions in the Tobruk area yesterday. Scores of bombs were seen to fall on the targets. R.A.F. and S.A.A.F. lighters carried out offensive patrols over enemy-occupied areas. "During the night of 2nd-3rd August a large formation of heavy bombers of the R.A.F. attacked the harbour of Benghazi. In addition to causing a large number of fires a direct hit was registered on an enemy anti-aircralt gun battery. One of these also machine-gunned anti-aircraft g™s and searchlights at Berka aerodrome from a low altitude. During the same night aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm bombed the aerodrome at Gambut. while the previous day R.A.F. bombers attacked Hisurnta, where they demolished a blockhouse with a direct hit and also severely damaged barrack buildings. "The R.A.F yesterday carried out a successful attack on a number of Italian lighters on the ground at Reggio, in Italy. Fragments of the aircraft were seen flying into the air as a ; lj■ t of the attack, and it is known that a large number of Macchi 200’s was destroyed. "From these operations, all our aircraft returned safely.'—B.O.W.