ACTIVITY OF R.A.F. IN MIDDLE EAST

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 33, 8 February 1941, Page 5

ACTIVITY OF R.A.F. IN MIDDLE EAST

WIDESPREAD BOMBING AERODROMES AND TRANSPORT RAIDED [ British Official Wireless. J RUGBY, Feb. 6. The Royal Air Force Middle East communique slates: "During the night of February 4-5, bomber aircraft ol the R.A.F. raided Benina aerodrome, near Benghazi, and Berka. At Benina two hangars were destroyed. A large fire, probably from oil, was started. Bombs were also seen to burst among motor transport vehicles and on the landing ground. Subsequently the aerodrome buildings were machinegunned. "At Berka, barracks and motoi transport and the aerodrome and buildings were both bombed and machine-gunned. The railway station at Barce was also attacked. "Martiza (Rhodes) aerodrome was also raided on the night of February 4-5. Bombs were dropped on hangars and buildings and a large fire was started near garages and workshops. Two other fires w'ere seen and there may have been enemy aircraft in flames. The British pilots finished oft the attack by machine-gunning the aerodrome.

"In Italian East Africa full support was given the Army in its successful operations on various fronts. Two further enemy fighters were captured at Barenta and one was shot down. At Keren dive attacks were made on the gun positions in the hills and on the road east of the tc/.vn. At Negasit bombs dropped on motor transport vehicles as a result of a raid on Deeste. During yesterday British fighters maintained offensive patrols but no engagements resulted. From all these operations all the British aircraft returned safely.