BURNING FIERCELY

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21184, 6 August 1940, Page 5

BURNING FIERCELY

ENEMY AERODROME HIT ITALIAN PLANES WRECKED FIGHTING IN SARDINIA (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, August 5 ! It is officially stated that Swordfish aeroplanes of the Fleet Air Arm heavily attacked the Italian aerodrome at Cagliari, in Sardinia. They destroyed four aeroplanes on the ground and wrecked or badly damaged many aerodrome buildings, some of which were left burning fiercely. Naval units including the aircraftcarrier from which the Swordfish aeroplanes operated, left Gibraltar for the scene of action on Wednesday. One flight of aircraft flew high to attack the Cagliari aerodrome, and another flew low to bomb the harbour. The weather was particularly unfavourable. The two attacks were launched with an interval of only five minutes. Incendiary and high explosive bombs were dropped on the harbour, which, one pilot said, was incredibly crowded. The aeroplanes dived to within 20ft of the water, and the second salvo of bombs disposed of two flying-boats. Anti-Aircraft Fire Erratic The anti-aircraft fire was erratic, but some of the British machines received hits, which were not observed until they landed on the aircraftcarrier. One pilot of the high-flying raiders said: “Of the five hangars, we left three smoking. Two Italian fighters flew up, but they did not come to grips. On the contrary, they helped us, because the anti-aircraft guns ceased fire in order not to hit their own machines.” ' Enemy aeroplanes attacked the j British ships during the action, but | no damage was done and there were no casualties. British aeroplanes shot down three machines shadowing or trying to bomb the British ships.