HOT RECEPTION

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 279, 25 November 1941, Page 7

HOT RECEPTION

Italian Macchis Shot Down In Battle Over Malta THRILLING SPECTACLE Rec. 1.30 p.m. RUGBY, Nov. 24. Since the war began Malta has been raided many hundred times. Her defences, described recently as some of the most powerful in the world, have been exacting heavv toll of enemy raiders. On Saturday a formation of Macchi planes which approached Malta received a hot reception from the R.A.F. fighters. Of more than a score of enemy aircraft which were engaged, rough Iv half sot back unscathed. Hurricanes destroyed three Macchis for certain and damaged eight others, three of them so badly that they can be regarded as probably destroyed.

It '«.s been ascertained that one Macchi which was damaged in an early morning combat on Fridav later crashed into the sea east of the island.

Once again large crowds saw a dogfight in which some 50 aircraft wove an intricate pattern in the sunny afternoon sky. The battle started at about 2000 ft between one formation of Hurricanes and Macchis. It was joined bv more Hurricanes which dived from a higher altitude and within a few seconds had put bursts into six enemy aircraft, sending two down with smoke pouring from them.

The first formation of our fighters had also taken toll of Macchis. In addition to shooting down three they damaged another badlv and put bursts into yet another "at close range. The only entrv on the debit side was very slight damage to one Hurricane.