PATROL OPERATIONS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 13 February 1942, Page 5

PATROL OPERATIONS

IN WESTERN DESERT • Rec. 9.31 a.m.) Rugby. Fen. 12. A Cairo communique stales: Our mobile columns and patrols continued their aggressive activities in the general area of Gazala. Tmimi, and Mekili. Enemy forces, including some tanks, were encountered to the west near Mekili. They scattered and withdrew upon being engaged by our artillery; fire. Other mobile columns were ob served but our troops were unable to bring them to battle. Our Air Force provided fighter protection over the whole area of operations while our bombers again attacked target m the rear.—B.O.W.

R.A.F. ACTIVITIES (Rec. 11.5 a.m.) Rugby, Feb. 12. An R.A.F. Middle East He id . i irt< communique states: "Our fighter aircraft continued their activities. They dispersed aircraft on the Martuba land ii,g ground which was bombi d day night and fires broke out. The following night objectives in the Der-na-Martuba areas were raided but the results of these attacks were obscured by poor visibility. Targets in Crete and the Dodecanese were bombed the same two nights. Fires were started in the area of the enemy naval workshop?, stores and submarine docks. Heruklion aerodrome was also attacked. “Enemy aircraft raided Malta < Tuesday night and Wednesday. zeral attacking bombers and fighters were damaged by our aircraft which intercepted enemy formations. Six of our planes are missing.—B.O.W.