AIR WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 120, 24 May 1941, Page 6

AIR WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST

INTENSIVE R.A.F. EFFORT ATTACKS ON GERMAN PLANES (Recd. 5.5 p.m.i London, May 22. The Royal Air Force is loosing the most intensive effort since the beginning of the desert war against German concentrations and transport columns in Cyrenaica, says the Associated Press correspondent in the Western Desert. During the last 30 hours, eight German planes have been destroyed. Scores of vehicles have been set on fire, and ammunition and petrol dumps blown up. To meet the British air offensive, the Germans are stationing tanks at regular intervals along roads and trails to combat low-flying attacking planes. A considerable German force, equipped with 2000 vehicles, is concentrated in the Fort Capuzzo-Bardia area, but there is no indication that an immediate enemy offer* re is planned. This concentration has been the main target of the British air attacks. f British air losses so far have been extremely light. Pilots concede that the German anti-aircraft fire is superior to the Italian and is improving. Air observers report seeing enemy troops in the desert clad in khaki instead of the usual grey-green. Widespread Royal Air force activi ties are reported in a Royal Air Force Middle East communique issued or. Thursday, which stales: — Fighter aircraft of the R.A.F. and S.A.A.F. successfully attacked motor transport and convoys in the Fort Capuzzo area yesterday. Many lorries were destroyed and fibers damaged Other aircraft bombed a camp and gun positions in the same area. During the previous night targets near Barce were bombed. During the night of May 20-21, our bombers made a heavy, successful attack on German occupied aerodromes in Greece. At Eleuis bombs were seen to burst among aircraft on the ground, and a fire was started. At Menidi, the results were not observed. Malta was bombed yesterday and slight damage was caused to service property.

Yesterday, aircraft of a Free French flight bombed and machine-gunned enemy troops on the road near Chelg. Attacks made on Debarech, when bombs fell among a convoy and on buildings, and Mend! camp was also bombed. On the previous day direct hits were scored on buildings at Debarech and the Fort of Bakki. In the Iraq the cantonment at Habaniyah was machine-gunned by German aircraft, slight damage being caused.

From all these operations, six of our aircraft are missing.—U.P.A.