ITALIAN RAID ON MALTA

Southland Times, Issue 24162, 26 June 1940, Page 5

ITALIAN RAID ON MALTA

Little Damage On Island TWO PLANES SHOT DOWN CAIRO, June 24. A Royal Air Force communique states that 60 enemy aeroplanes, comprising a large force of bombers escorted by fighters, raided Malta yesterday. Little damage was done. Five civilians were wounded. Two Italian aeroplanes were brought down. One of the enemy fighters, a Macchi, was brought down by a British machine. The Italian pilot saved himself by means of a parachute descent. A bombing aircraft attempting a reconnaissance flight over Malta was intercepted by a British fighter and shot down in flames. The pilot and the second pilot of a crew of seven were saved from the sea after making parachute descents. The remainder of the crew are missing.

The Prime Minister (Mr Winston Churchill) has sent the following message to the acting Governor of Malta (Major-General W. G. S. Dobbie): “The Cabinet watches with constant attention the resolute defence which your garrison and the people of Malta are making of the famous fortress and island. I have a conviction that you will make that defence glorious in British military history and also in the history of Malta itself. You are well fitted to rouse and sustain the spirit of all in enduring severe and prolonged ordeals for a righteous cause.” The Admiralty announced this evening that yet another Italian U-boat has been destroyed by British naval forces east of Suez, thus bringing the total Italian U-boats definitely known to have been disposed of to seven. Italy declared war on June 10. BELGIAN RESOURCES AVAILABLE (Received June 25, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 25. M. Marcel Jaspar, Belgian Minister of State, interviewed, said that all Belgium’s resources, including colonial materials and man-power, were at the disposal of Britain. This was the only possible attitude for free Belgians.

M. Jaspar invited his ministerial colleagues to come to England from Portugal, but in the meantime he was solely responsible for rallying the Belgians to the Allied cause. Belgian ex-servicemen in the United Kingdom sent a message to M. Jaspar pledging loyalty to Britain.

SPAIN TO PURCHASE PARACHUTES

(Received June 25, 7.30 p.m.) MADRID, June 24.

An extraordinary budget totalling nearly £30,000,000 includes £120,000 for parachutes,