BRITISH HELP

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21260, 2 November 1940, Page 7

BRITISH HELP

AIR AND NAVAL BASES ATTACKS ON ITALIANS ENEMY PLANE SHOT DOWN (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Nov. 1 i Royal Air Force machines have carried out a number of reconnaissance flights over Greek and Italian coastal waters, says a communique from Cairo. One Italian machine was shot down in flames. British bombers and additional reconnaissance aeroplanes in Greek and Italian waters are reported to have joined in attacks against military objectives on the Albanian border. Greek newspapers have widely published reports of these operations. They declare that the British have established air and naval bases on Greek soil and have already engaged the Italians at sea. The Greek press also repeats an American broadcast that British troops, under the protection from the guns of the Royal Navy, have landed at strategic islands around Greece, for military reasons the details of which cannot be given. Greek naval units heavily shelled the Italian advance positions on the mainland opposite Corfu. No Italian warships or aeroplanes appeared. According to information from the Dodecanese, British warships shelled the Island of Scarpanto. south-west of Rhodes, destroying the wireless station and barracks. The Italians were surprised while sleeping. It is stated that only 200 of the 700 who were under fire escaped. The dead were hurriedly buried in a ditch. The Rome newspaper Lavoro Fascista says artillery trains have been placed at strategic points protecting the Italian coasts. Special surface craft will guide the gunfire from the trains.