ITALIANS ISSUE COMMUNIQUE

Southland Times, Issue 24154, 17 June 1940, Page 5

ITALIANS ISSUE COMMUNIQUE

An Italian communique states: “On the Alpine front we carried out prearranged dispositions, occupying some localities beyond the frontier. The enemy’s efforts to impede our action were repulsed. Some prisoners were taken. The torpedo-boat Calatafini torpedoed two large enemy destroyers, of which one was sunk. Localities on the Riviera were hit by the enemy. Some civilians were killed. In spite of unfavourable weather, we carried out a new and effective bombardment against military objectives. Reconnoitring was carried out over enemy bases. One enemy submarine was sunk by one of our seaplanes. In Northern Africa the enemy renewed attacks with armoured emits against our border posts. The attacks have been held in an efficacious manner. Action by our aviation had considerable results. There have been intense reconnoitring activities over Tunis. In East Africa our aviation, besides numerous reconnaissances beyond the border, carried out on June 13 successive waves of air raids on Aden, directly hitting objectives and shooting down one enemy machine. One of our aeroplanes failed to return. In the afternoon the aerial base of Vair was bombarded, causing damage. AU our aeroplanes returned. On the afternoon of June 12 and the night of June 13 the British bombed the village of Lobua and

the airport of Assab. Not much damage was done. Enemy aviation at night raided several cities in central and north Italy. There was intense reconnoitring over the territory of Tunis. At dawn on June 13 our navy clashed with an enemy naval formation composed of cruisers and torpedo-boats, in which the sea coast defences and our navy went into action.”

It is officially announced that 11 were killed and 52 wounded in naval and air attacks on various Italian cities. Six were killed and 22 wounded in naval and air attacks on Savona, near Genoa. Leaflets dropped by British aeroplanes over Rome stated: “Il Duce wanted war. Here it is. Whether you win or lose Italians will always suffer, because Italy will always be poor. France has nothing against you. Lay down your arms.” Another leaflet read: “Italian wbmen. Nobody has attacked Italy. Your sons, husbands and sweethearts have not left you to defend your country. They suffer and die to satisfy the pride of one man. Victorious or defeated you wiU have hunger, misery and slavery.” A French destroyer is reported to have fired on and sunk the Italian vessel Fortunata, south of Teneriffe. The crew took to the boats and reached the shore.