TRIPOLI BOMBED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23880, 3 February 1941, Page 7

TRIPOLI BOMBED

HEAVY BRITISH ATTACK DAMAGE AMONG SHIPPING RAIDS ON AERODROMES By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received February 2, 6.30 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, Feb. 1 During Friday night British bombers carried out heavy raids on the docks at the Italian port of Tripoli, in western Libya, and several tons of bombs were dropped among ships and seaplanes in the ! harbour, says a communique issued by Royal Air Force headquarters in the Middle East. An 8000-ton merchant vessel was hit and sot on fire, a 4000-ton vessel was also hit and another of 8000 tons was damaged. Bombs which burst among seaplanes in the harbour destroyed ono by fire and damaged others. Other bombs straddled the southern mole and seaplane hangars, causing explosions which were followed by clouds of black smoke. Several fires were started on the customs jetty and the railway. The raid was carried out in face of intense anti-aircraft fire. Hits on Buildings In eastern Libya, the enemy aerodrome at Barce was again heavily raided on Friday by bombers and fighters. Hundreds of high-explosive and incendiary bombs were dropped. High explosives were observed bursting among hangars, buildings and tents, and a barrack received a direct hit. Two aircraft on the ground were set on fire. The fighters, which machine-gunned the aerodrome, also attacked concentrations of motor transport vehicles there. One Cll 42 that was attacked by British fighters over Barce was chased and shot down in flames near Benghazi. In Italian East Africa. British fighter | aircraft machine-gunned four S 78's on the ground at Teranni, and destroyed them. Three transport yards at Assab were bombed. British bombers also carried out a raid in Albania, causing considerable damage and machine-gunning troops emerging from the lines. From all these operations the British aircraft returned safely. Many Other Targets Royal Air Force activities on Friday were mainly concentrated on enemy aerodromes. Aerodromes on the main road between Derna and Benghazi were heavily bombed and direct hits were observed on hangars and other buildings around the aerodromes. A CR 42 was shot down in flames by ono British fighter. In East Africa aircraft dived on a bridge on the Mega-Neghelli road, and straddled it with bombs. In the Moyalo area another squadron made divebombing attacks on Italian artillery and infantry positions, dropping high explosive and incendiary bombs. Other aircraft bombed and machine-gunned enemy posts and buildings in Moyale. During reconnaissance, one British aircraft which was attacked by a CR 42 drove ofl the enemy fighter and dived and machine-gunned four machines on an aerodrome. From all the operations the British aeroplanes returned safely, with the exception of one pilot reporting missing. The Royal Air Force have also bombed the Addis Ababa-Jibuti railway. EIRE'S FRIENDLINESS POLICY OF NEUTRALITY WEAKNESS OF DEFENCES (Received February 2, 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 1 Mr. J. L. Hodson, a well-known author and journalist, in an article in the Sunday Times written after a recent visit to Eire, says he found little or no hostility, but the warmest friendliness. "I was frequently assured," he says, "that I would find no pro-Germans in Eire. I believe that 90 per cent of the Irish people want Britain to win, but an equally large number support Mr. de Valera's policy of strict neutrality, for which there is tho strongest argument in the country's defencelessness. "Goering could devastate any Irish town without the semblance of resistance. "Many Irishmen, as a result of Mr. Churchill's reference to Irish ports, believe that Britain is putting on some form of economic screw, but, although there are shortages, a real lack of food is most unlikely." A message from Shanghai says the Irish communities of Shanghai, Tientsin and Hangkow have telegraphed to Mr. Churchill stating that in this hour of danger they are anxious that it should be known that their loyalty to I the ideals for which Britain is now fighting are staunch and steadfast. They also regret that they are not able to share the danger and anxiety of the people of Britain. EIRE INVASION COURTS DEATH PENALTY ONLY (Received February 2, 535 p.m.) DUBLIN. Jan. 31 The Government has taken emergency powers, which may be enforced in the event of invasion, to provide military courts which can impose only the death penalty. There is no appeal. They are empowered to bold trials for treason, manslaughter, unlawful assembly, kidnapping, sabotage and attacks against public servants, and are also empowered to deal with membership of secret societies and the absorption of the powers of the Government. RUMANIAN REVOLT MUCH EQUIPMENT CAPTURED (Received February 2, 5.35 p.m.) BUCHAREST, Feb. 1 Arrests resulting from the revolt in Rumania now total 2291. Arms captured include 87 machine-guns, 460 j "Tommv-guns," 17,680 rifles and 7800 revolvers.