BARI BOMBED

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21820, 25 November 1940, Page 5

BARI BOMBED

Successful Raid By R.A.F. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received November 24, 11.11 p.m.) CAIRO, November 24. A Royal Air Force special communique says: Long-range bombers most successfully raided Bari on Friday night. Bombs burst around the main jetty and a large fire was started south of the western jetty. Heavy explosions near the main railway station lit the whole town. Large fires were also started in the oil refineries. Other bombers destroyed the communications of the retreating Italians at Pogradec. Our ’planes returned safely from all operations. Australians in Action In the first aerial battle between the Royal Australian Air Force and Italians in the Middle East, the Dominion fliers gave a most excellent account of themselves when they destroyed three for certain and probably two more of their opponents. Four R.A.A.F. machines were returning from a patrol over enemy territory when they encountered 17 Italian fighters giving protection to troops on the ground. There was one casualty on the Australian side—a squadron-leader whose Gladiator was seen to crash after the engagement with two Italian CR 42’s. The Admiralty states that the following communique has been received from the Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean: “On the night of November 20-21 a naval unit assisted by air co-operation successfully bombarded Maktila camp on the Libyan coast for an hour. Three large fires were started. The enemy returned the fire. There were no casualties.” A war communique Issued in London begins by repeating the Admiralty communique referring to the bombardment of Maktila camp and then continues: Patrol activity continues on the Sudan front, our detachments inflicting many casualties, with little loss to ourselves.” A Royal Air Force communique from Cairo reveals that Royal Air Force bombers yesterday raided Tepelena, an important strategic point on the road from Valona to Argyrokastron. Royal Air Force reconnaissance ’planes were also active over Albania, securing valuable data. British and Greek dive-bombers bombed a mechanised supply train and armoured units in the Argyrokastron Valley, scattering the drivers to the hills and allowing Greek cavalry to capture many units intact, thus enabling the Greek left flank to rush on, increasingly menacing the retreating Italian divisions. General headquarters at Cairo in a communique states: Our patrols, supported by artillery, continued their activities in the area between Gallabat and Metemma. There is no change on the other fronts. A Malta communique says: Fighters and anti-aircraft batteries this morning turned back several raiders, and also engaged raiders which bombed Malta this afternoon. Two were damaged and probably sent down.