THE MIDDLE EAST

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 6 August 1941, Page 5

THE MIDDLE EAST

FURTHER OPERATIONS BY R.A.F. AERODROMES ATTACKED SHIPPING IN HARBOURS BOMBED (Rec. 10 a.m.) Rugby, Aug. 5. A R.A.F. Middle East communique states: “R.A.F. bombers carried out a number of successful operations in Cyrenaica during the night 3rd-4th August. One formation attacked the port of Derna causing considerable damage and starting a number of fires. Two buildings at the base of the mole were destroyed. Bombs were also dropped on the landing ground and a battery which was silenced. “Other aircraft attacked the landing ground and dispersal area at Gazala, causing a series of explosions and several fires. Huts and a camp in the vicinity were machine-gunned from a few hundred feet and about 25 tents caught on fire. Martuba landing ground was also bombed, fires and explosions being observed among dispersed aircraft. “An attack was delivered on enemy shipping off the coast near Appollonia. Hits were made on one ship and possibly another. Enemy merchant vessels were again attacked in the same area yesterday and two are believed to have been hit. R.A.F. bombers carried out a successful attack on shipping in the harbour of Tripoli on 3rd August. A merchant vessel of about 8000 tons was hit by a heavy bomb and a violent explosion followed, throwing a great quantity of wreckage into the nir. Two direct hits were obtained on military buildings which were also machinegunned. “A reconnaissance of Reggio showed that in the attack reported in yesterday’s communique ten Macchi 200’s and a Breda 20 were destroyed, while about 20 more Macchis were damaged, several very badly. From tile above operations all our aircra # returned safely.”—B.O.W.