ATTACKS ON MALTA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 19 October 1942, Page 5

ATTACKS ON MALTA

MORE ENEMY PLANES DESTROYED INCREASED HOSTILE FIGHTER SUPPORT (Rec. 9.25 a.m.) Rugby, Oct. 18. Air activity over Malta continued on the night of 15th-16th October and throughout Friday. An enemy plane was shot down by ground fire at night, and our fighters destroyed seven enemy aircraft during the day. From the above operations seven of our planes lailed to return, but three of the pilots i are safe. : The enemy continued attacks against . Malta on the night of 16th-17th October i and throughout yesterday. Hostile bombers were accompanied by increas- • ed fighter escorts. Eight enemy aircraft were shot down by our fighters. Antiaircraft fire damaged others from above. From other operations three of • our aircraft are missing. The pilot of J one is safe, but injured. ACTIVITY OVER BATTLE AREA A communique from Middle East headquarters states: " Bad weather yesterday prevented air operations over . the battle area Long-range fighters ! attacked east-bound enemy transport vehicles on the road between Sidi Bar- . rani and Solium. “Our medium bombers on the night of 15th and 16th October attacked har- ; bour installations at Tobruk, while on Friday our fighter-bombers were ac- 1 tive over El Daba landing grounds. United States and R.A.F. heavy bombers made a daylight attack on Benghazi shipping. PATROLS ON MOVE ON LAND “There is nothing to report from our land forces Patrols on both sides were , active on the night of 15th-16th October. On Friday there were some artillery exchanges.