EGYPTIAN FRONT

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23742, 14 September 1942, Page 4

EGYPTIAN FRONT

FORMATION OF STUKAS SMASHED (8.0. W.) RUGBY, Sept. 12. Taking advantage of cloud cover, Royal Air Force pilots smashed up a formation of Stukas escorted by Messerschmitts over the battle area in Egypt to-day. At least 12 Axis aircraft were destroyed. The only Royal Air Force loss was one aircraft which had to make a forced landing. The Royal Air Force Middle East News Service discloses that during operations from September 8 to 11 inclusive, 11 enemy aircraft were destroyed in combat for the loss of 11 Allied aircraft. One Allied pilot is known to be safe. Land activity in Egyyt continues to be on a small scale. Friday’s Cairo communique states; “On Wednesday night Allied patrols were active in the central sector. Enemy troops which contacted Allied patrols in the northern sector were engaged with mortars and machine-guns. Yesterday on the southern sector Allied artillery was active. “Off Derna, torpedo-carrying aircraft scored a direct hit on an enemy merchant ship. Because of rising duststorms, air activity over the battle area was on a smaller scale.” In daylight, heavy United States bombers attacked Tobruk, where the harbour and shipping had already been bombed during the night. Australian bombers made a heavy night raid on Tobruk, attacking docks and shipping. Ten miles to the south, they bombed the landing ground at El Gubbi, and raided another point to the east.