100 Bombers Over Crete

Northern Advocate, 26 July 1943, Page 2

100 Bombers Over Crete

(8.0. W.) RUGBY, July 24. A Middle East air communique states: “A formation of Royal Air Force and Royal Hellenic Air Force Hurricanes, Baltimores and Beaufighters carried out large-scale offensive operations against enemy forces and installations in Crete in daylight yesterday. An ammunition dump was set cn fire and blew up, while tented camps, gun positions, cars and transport vehicles were successfully attacked by cannon and machine-gun fire. Wireless and power stations were shot up and damaged. Light bombers scored direct hits on factories at lerapetra and Heraklion. During other operations one Junkers 88 was destroyed off the coast of Cyrenaica. Seventeen of our aircraft so far have not returned.” Well over 100 aircraft took part in this spectacular daylight raid on the German garrison at Crete, according to Cairo correspondents. The fact that 17 machines so far have not reported does not indicate that they were engaged in heavy air combat. On the contrary there is very little enemy air activity over -the island. Among the targets attacked all over the island was a first-class aerodrome in Malemi area. Shipping in Birabella Bay also suffered.

The King of the Hellenes, accompanied by Air-Marshal Sholto Douglas, afterwards visited Greek squadrons which participated.