VITAL LINE CUT

Opotiki News, Volume III, Issue 321, 11 October 1940, Page 1

VITAL LINE CUT

ITALIAN SUPPLIES BOMBING OF RAILWAY WIDESPREAD HAVOC AID OF FRENCH PILOTS (News by Cable.) CAIRO, Oct. 9. I A communique issued in Cairo today states that all fronts are quiet. An Aden message states that one of the most vital Italian supply lines in East Africa has been cut as a result of the bombing of the Aisha railway station between Djibouti and Addis Ababa by the Royal Air Force. The station is about 100 miles from the coast. It is the site of an important military encampment and supply depot. The Royal Air Force dropped bombs on the railway line and military puddings and also a train. ’Dromes and Depots Several other important sections of the line were recently damaged. Aerial photographs reveal that the Royal Air Force has created, widespread havoc in aerodromes, camps, supply depots, ports and petrol depots. French airmen attached to the Royal Air Force have done much valuable reconnoitring work. It is semi-officially stated in Vichy that as a result of a British warship seizing the supply ship Espcrance, the French garrison at Djibouti is facing famine. Tho Espcrance, from Madagascar, was taken to Aden and the cargo confiscated. It is estimated that at the beginning of September the" garrison’s supplies were sufficient for six weeks.