BRILLIANT WIN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 285, 2 December 1941, Page 7

BRILLIANT WIN

PITCHED AIR FIGHT

R.A.F. Routs Large Nazi

Formation

U.P.A. and British Wireless.

Rec. 1.30 p.m

LONDON, Dec. 1

The R.A.F. Cairo communique states: 'In close co-operation with the Imperial land forces our bomber and fighter aircraft carried out a series of successful operations over Libya yesterday, in the course of which 18 enemy aircraft were destroyed and considerable damage was inflicted on enemy columns in the battle area.

"Over El Gobi a combined force of R.A."~. and South African fighters inters ;ed a formation of enemy machu.es. In the aerial battle which followed six Gso's, six Macchis C2oo's and three Junkers 88's were shot down, and many other enemy aircraft were severely damaged. Three of our fighters were lost, but all the pilots are safe.

. "Further forces of our fighters attacked the landing ground at Martuba, where two aircraft were destroyed on the ground and others damaged. An ammunition dump and tents were hit and casualties inflicted on enemy personnel. Vehicles on the road near Martuba were also effectively machine-gunned. In the Sidi Rezegh and El Duda regions, as well as along tne road from El Adem to El Duda, a heavy bombing raid was made on columns of enemy motor transport. Many vehicles were destroyed or overturned, and explosions and fires were observed. In an attempt by enemy aircraft to raid one of our landing grounds a Junkers 88 was shot down and three members of the crew were captured.

"On Saturday night bomber aircraft raided Bengasi and Derna. At Bengasi bombs burst on the moles, while at Derna hits were obtained on the aerodrome."

Shattered, rent and torn German tanks and motorised units destroyed by Imperial fighter and bomber squadrons are scattered over the Libyan Desert, states the Air Ministry news service, quoting the report of an observer who spent the day inspecting these battered derelict vehicles.

It was stated in Cairo that since dawn on November 18, when the Libyan offensive began, till midnight on Tuesday, 176 enemy air;raft had been destroyed, 92 in aerial combat and 84 on the ground.