NORTHERN AFRICA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24594, 30 April 1941, Page 7

NORTHERN AFRICA

ENEMY THRUST AT EGYPT OCCUPATION OF SOLLUM R.A.F. ATTACKS CONTINUE LONDON, Apl. 28. Germans and Italians occupied Solium on April 26, according to military sources in Cairo, but harassing tactics by a British armoured division thus far have prevented further penetration. The R.A.F. continues' to hammer the enemy’s lines, destroying reinforcements and supplies, and the position is regarded as satisfactory. The capture of Dessie followed tough fighting around a pass south of the town. The Italians defended strongly from well-fortified positions, but finally broke and withdrew rapidly. Reaching the summit of the pass, the British sighted Italian reinforcements, upon which they charged, but the Italians turned and fled.

Haile Selassie’s flag now flies over every town in Gotjjam except Bahrdar. on the southern shore of Lake Tana. General Nasi, at Gondar, is. reported to be cut off by patriots approaching from three points. Troop Carriers Attacked

The machine-gunning of troops while embarking in German troop-carrying aeroplanes is recorded in a R.A.F. Middle East communique, which states: In Cyrenaica yesterday the R.A.F. continued to hamper enemy movements, bombing and machine-gun-ning troops and transport. At Bennia fighters machine-gunned a number ot Junkers 52 troop carriers while they were embarking troops on the ground. One enemy aircraft was destroyed by fire and the remainder badly damaged. In Abyssinia yesterday our fighters machine-gunned and badly damaged a number of enemy motor transport vehicles at Akroma and set fire to a petrol dump on a landing ground. On the previous day a convoy of motor transport which was carrying enemy troops was attacked. Considerable damage was done and many casualties were inflicted. Aircraft of the South African Air Force bombed and machine-gunned military buildings at Jimma. All our aircraft returned safely. A sudden sand-storm in the Western Desert temporarily checked enemy forces thrusting to Egypt from Libya. Visibility in some places was reduced to 50 yards.