SUCCESSFUL RAIDS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 178, 31 July 1940, Page 5

SUCCESSFUL RAIDS

R.A.F. IN MIDDLE EAST ITALIAN PLANES SUFFER DESERT OPERATIONS 1 British Official Wir.lwi. J Received July 30, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, July 29. A Royal Air Force communique issued in Cairo states that several reconnaissance flights were carried out over eastern Libya by bombing aircraft, escorted by fighters. During one of these a large formation of enemy fighters was met, and in the subsequent action one enemy plan" was shot down. One British aircraft is missing.

During another reconnaissance flight two Italian fighters which were seen on the ground were attacked and both destroyed by fire. In Italian East Africa a bombing and machinegunning attack was made on the aerodrome at Mille. One Italian bomber was totally destroyed and two others damaged.

French pilots arid crews operated with the R.A.F. and carried out valuable reconnaissance work in the Diredawa area. A Sunderland flying-boat patrolling over the Mediterranean attacked three ships. The result of the bombing is not yet known. The flyingboat was attacked by three formations of enemy monoplane fighters, but maintained a running action throughout its return flight. One Italian fighter was shot down in flames and another was driven down out of control. The Sunderlnd returned safely. Another Sunderland on patrol was also attacked by enemy fighters, one of which broke up i i the air, while another gave up the combat in a badly damaged condition. The Sunderland returned safely to its base. Enemy bombers escorted by a dozen fighters raided Malta yesterday. Only slight damage was done. One of the enemy fighters was brought down by anti-aircraft fire and crashed into lh»

A Cairo communique states that in Egypt, in the western desert, an observation patrol of light armoured fighting vehicles, which had penetrated far behind the enemy's lines, was spotted and subjected to a continuous low-flying attack by Italian bombers and fighters. There were some casualties to both men and vehicles. On other fronts there was nothing of importance to report. A Nairobi communique states: “Our Air Force successfully bombed concentrations of enemy troops and a camel train in the neighbourhood of Moyale. Only light, anti-aircraft opposition was encountered." A communique issued in Rome states: “Beyond the frontier of Cyrenaica Italian planes pursued bombing and machine-gunning actions of enemy formations and armoured cars making effective hits. In an aerial battle two enemy planes were shot down. Two of our planes failed to return.”