AIR BATTLES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20622, 25 November 1941, Page 5

AIR BATTLES

BRITISH ATTACKS AXIS REINFORCED PROTECTION FAILING BASES AND TRANSPORT (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Preaa Aaan.) • (Reed. Nov. 25, 9 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 24. High winds and occasional dust storms have failed to prevent the Royal Air Force playing its part in the invasion by repeated attacks on the enemy’s communications and the destruction of planes on the ground in daring low-diving ■ assaults. Not a single opportunity of bringing the Axis planes to battle is lost. Despite formidable air reinforcements the Luftwaffe has been unable to give real help to their motorised forces owing to constant watch on movements maintained by Tomahawks and other Royal Air Force machines. Pilots on reconnaissance sorties report that many machines are to be seen on enemy aerodromes—an indication that Hitler is doing what he can to send air support to his tanks.

A report from Royal Air Force Desert Headquarters states that the Germans and Italians are rushing aerial reinforcements to Libya. Germany, in desperate haste, sent Messerschmitts, including the newest types, to Tripoli, Crete and Italy. The results are already apparent. More German fighters were in the air on Sunday than on any previous day. The Italians are flying bombers and fighters to Libya. Large numbers of fullyladen Junkers 52’s are also arriving in Libya, bringing reinforcements for the land forces. The violence of the Royal Air Force attack has increased correspondingly. The British planes are on the ground only for refuelling and air battles rage from Jarabub to the sea. As many as 50 planes become engaged simultaneously in dogfights. Junkers With Gliders Vice-Air Marshal Conyngham confirmed that the Axis was rushing air reinforcements. He pointed out that the Axis had the advantage in proximity to Italy, Crete, and Tripoli and added that Junkers with trailer gliders were not a factor to be ignored. He paid a tribute to the Tomahawks which he said were the reason for the absence of Stukas.

An attack on a supply column on the El Adem-Acroma road began with a Tomahawk raid at noon. The Tomahawks blocked the road by destroying 20 vehicles and killing and wounding about 100 men. Two more squadrons strafed the column three hours later, setting fire to petrol tankers and other lorries.

A squadron of “Hurry” bombers carried out a most damaging raid at dusk and scored direct hits on four lorries with four bombs. Other members of the squadron destroyed an average of three vehicles each. One pilot described a particularly devastating raid on an east-bound Italian supply column near Tobruk. “There were hundreds of vehicles,” he said. “We took them by complete surprise. We swept down to 40ft or less and gave it to them right down the line, then back and then back .again, shooting them up for nearly an hour and completely wrecking the convoys. “You have seen men in the talkies when shot throw up their hands and pitch forward. I saw at least 100 go down that way. We were so close that we could have picked the victims. It was a pleasure to be giving these fellows a taste of their own medicine.” Royal Air Force circles in Cairo report that not a single Royal Air Force supply vehicle has so far been lost. The size of the Royal Air Force problem can be judged from the fact that a squadron making several sorties daily uses from 3000 to 4000 gallons of petrol daily.