WAR IN AFRICA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23714, 22 July 1940, Page 8

WAR IN AFRICA

BOTH SIDES ACTIVE BRITISH BOMBING RAIDS ITALIAN AIR LOSSES By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrightdeceived July 21, 0.50 p.m.) LONDON, "Juis 'JO A communique from Royal r Force headquarters in Cairo states that Mersa Matruh and the: neighbourhood were raided by day and night on Thursday and Friday. One Italian 579 crashed and caught' fire, and five of the crew were killed, the' wireless operator being taken prisoner.

British bombers raided El Giibbi, Eritrea, and five large fires were started. Shipping in Tobruk Harbour was bombed and some direct bits were registered, but the extent of tlio damage is not known. A highly successful raid on Neghelli aerodrome and outbuildings was carried out by bombers of the South African Air Force One incendiary bomb hit an 579, which burst into flames and became a total wreck. Other bombs did extensive damage to another Italian bomber, and two more were probably rendered unserviceable. A petrol dump ■» was blown up and buildings were set alight. Several enemy aircraft parked near the spot were damaged. When the aircraft left, the. whole - area ■>wasobscured by smoke. ' . ' Two raids were carried out on Macaca aerodrome, Eritrea, and surrounding buildings. There were -direfct hits on the camp, and "considerable damage was done. From all these operations, all our aircraft "returned without loss.

A message from Nairobi says the enemy dropped over 100 bombs in the course of four raids against Buna, Kenya. No damage was caused, and I;here were no casualties.