DAMAGING ATTACKS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21198, 22 August 1940, Page 7

DAMAGING ATTACKS

NORTH AFRICAN RAIDS FLIGHTS OVER ABYSSINIA ALLEGIANCE OF NATIVES (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrlg-ht) (Received August 22, 11.5 a.m.) CAIRO, August 21 Squadrons of the South African Air Force carried out simultaneous offensive reconnaissances on Italian aerodromes in Abyssinia and Italian Somaliland, says a communique issued by the Royal Air Force. Bombs fell near a wireless station at Mega. Buildings were damaged at Neghelli and Caproni aircraft on the ground at Yavello were hit. Three direct hits were made on a storehouse at Afmadu.

British bombers attacked hangars and the railway station at Diredawa, all the bombs falling in the target area, and there was a direct hit on a hangar. One of the British planes failed to return. Aircraft attacked the Dessie aerodrome, bombs hitting the buildings in the compound. Bombers carried out a low-level attack on railway buildings at Kassala and hit the railway track. French pilots co-operating with the Royal Air Force made extensive reconnaissance flights over British Somaliland. The places visited included Berbera, Oadweina, Hargeiss and Zeila. Ten enemy bombers escorted by 20 fighters raided Malta. British fighters dispersed the enemy. The Italian version of the position is given in a communique issued at Rome. Italian Version “In what was formerly British Somaliland, the local population is flocking round the Italian authorities to give oaths of allegiance,” states the communique. “Native soldiers of the camel corps and bands of Hilaros warriors are bringing in their weapons and simultaneously enrolling in the native Italian Army. “Five British bombers were today damaged by Italian air raids round Berbera. The British carried out numerous air raids in several localities in Ethiopia. One woman was killed and five persons were wounded. The material damage was insignificant. “Italian fighters brought down a Blenheim bomber at Diredawa. Italian air formations attacked the air bases at Malta, scoring successful hits. The enemy violently counterattacked our planes. We probably shot down one enemy.”