LIBYAN FIGHTING

Grey River Argus, 25 February 1942, Page 3

LIBYAN FIGHTING

INCREASE INLAND. RUGBY, February 23. A Cairo communique stated: Operating in the general area east of Tmimi and south of the Tmimi-Me-kili track, our fighting patrols and mobile columns on Sunday encountered a somewhat-heavier scale of resistance from the enemy columns, while considerable movement was observed in the afternoon from Martuba towards Tmimi. Enemy air activity against targets in our forward area was also on an increased scale. Our own air forces again covered our land operations by fighters’ sweeps, whilst our bombers effectively attacked nositions in the rear. The R,A.F. Middle East report says: On Sunday our fighters patrolled the forward area in Cyrenaica. A Junkers 88 was intercepted and shot down, the crew of four being taken prisoner. Another Junkers 88 was destroyed off the North African coast, and several others were severely damaged. IN MEDITERRANEAN, RUGBY, February 23. The K.A.F. Middle East report states: On Sunday and Saturday night, enemy aircraft carried out a series of sustained attacks on Malta. Some damage was done, but the casualties were small. Our fighters intercepted the raiding forces and shot down a Messerschmitt 109. Other Junkers 88’s and Messerschmitt 109’s were so severely damaged that they are unlikely to have reached their bases. Naval aircraft succes.sfully attacked an enemy tanker in the central Mediterranean on Saturday night. A hit with a torpedo was followed by a large flash. Two of our planes are missing.