HEAVY DAMAGE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21822, 27 November 1940, Page 5

HEAVY DAMAGE

R.A.F. Again Raids Durazzo British Official Wireless (Received November 26, 6.30 p.m.). RUGBY, November 25. A Royal Air Force communique Issued at Cairo states: “A further raid was carried out at Durazzo yesterday. The attack was directed against shipping in the harbour, the quay, jetties, and harbour buildings. One direct hit was registered on a 10,000ton ship, and another on a smaller ship, which Immediately burst into flames. Bombs fell on the quay close to another vessel. One heavy salvo fell 50 yards on the land side of the harbour jetty. “Intense anti-aircraft fire was encountered, but, in spite of this, the attack was pressed home. One British aircraft failed to return.” Tank Battle Described A captain of a famous Hussar regiment who was an eye-witness of the tank battle at Hilliquat, 15 miles

from Sidl Barrani on November 21 said that while one tank squadron bore round the enemy’s left to cut off his retreat and catch the tanks at a vulnerable point in their armour, another squadron closed in from the right under heavy fire until some places it was 20Q yards from the enemy. Concentration on the main task, the destruction of the Italian tanks, seemed not yet possible owing to danger from the air and enemy flank movements. The danger increased when 17 Italian bombers appeared. Four Australian manned planes immediately appeared and attacked the Italians. They shot down three and possibly three more, losing one machine. Thus relieved from danger, the Hussars completed the Italian rout.