WAVES OF PLANES

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24244, 9 April 1942, Page 7

WAVES OF PLANES

MALTA'S HEAVIEST RAID HARBOUR MAIN TARGET ISLAND'S 2000 TH ALERT (Reed. 11.15 p.m.) LONDON, April 8 Malta experienced its heaviest air raid of the war yesterday, when waves of German planes bombed and dive-bombed the harbour area and aerodromes. Anti-aircraft gunners shot down four enemy aircraft and probably one other and damaged two. Full details have not yet been received. Although the harbour area was the main enemy target, other bombers attacked aerodromes. Valetta and other residential districts suffered damage iand casualties. As the raiders dived to attack they were met by an intense high and lowlevel anti-aircraft barrage. Two bombers and two fighters wer# destroyed for certain by the anti-aircraft batteries, another bomber was probably destroyed, and two more were damaged. The island had its 2000 th air-raid alert of the war yesterday and the 1000 th since December 2. In the past four months the island has had only nine raid-free nights altogether, and only one raid-free day and night in succession.

ACTION IMMINENT REPORTS FROM LIBYA 1 BATTLES IN THE AIR LONDON, April 8 "It is learned in London that increased enemy activity is imminent in Libya. Something more will soon be heard about it." This statement was broadcast by tha British Broadcasting Corporation to-day. The R.A.F. Middle East communique states that bomber aircraft of the Middle East Command effectively raided the landing ground at Deraa yesterday. Fighter aircraft, which accompanied the bombers, engaged enemy fighters and destroyed two Messerschmitt 109'e. On Sunday night objectives at Benghazi and Berka, and targets in the Martuba area were again attacked. It is known that, in addition to the casualties already reported, €he enemy suffered further losses during raids on Sunday. Anti-aircraft gunfire shot down two Junkers 88 and one Junkers 87. HEAVY CASUALTIES RAID ON ALEXANDRIA (Reed. 6.30 p.m.) ALEXANDRIA, April 7 Enemy aircraft last night raided Alexandria. The casualties were reported at first to be light, but it is now known that 52 were killed and 90 injured.