AIR FORCE SUPPORT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 64, 17 March 1942, Page 5

AIR FORCE SUPPORT

ACTIVITY IN Libya ARTILLERY FIRE EXCHANGE Rugby, March 15. Although patrol activity in Libya has been slightly greater in the last few days, it is slated in authoritative circles that no special meaning, such as preparation for an offensive by Rommel, can be attached to it. A Middle East war communique states tnat the day was again markeci by a considerable exchange ol artillery lire between our lighting patrols: and those of the enemy, during which at least one enemy tank was knocked out. Our air forces again provided support for these operations. Details of air operations are given in. an R.A.F. communique, which states: “Our fighters and bombers were active over Cyrenaica yesterday. The enemy landing ground at Martuba was attacked, and two Melo9’s and a Macchi 202 were .shot down. Other enemy aicraft were severely damaged. Objectives at Mekili, Benghazi, and Tripoli were raided during Friday night.” Yesterday enemy aircraft continued to raid Malta. One Melo9 was shot down by our fighters and one by antiaircraft fire. Three aircraft are missing.—B.O.W. GRAND DAY FOR AIRMEN London, March 15. Describing yesterday's bombing operations in Libya, an R.A.F. officer said that Saturday was a grand day for American machines and Dominion pilots in the Western Desert. Hudson aircraft blasted the aerodrome at Martuba while escorting Kittyhawks kept the enemy at bay. In addition to scoring direct hits on the aerodrome, where two buildings were left in flames, our aircraft shot down three enemy fighters and four others were so badly damaged that they could be regarded as probably destroyed. Our bombers were manned by South Africans, and one of the fighter squadrons was led by a famous Australian who has already won the D.F.C. and bar. • In this engagement he brought his 1 total score up to 19* enemy planes. * FREE FRENCH RAIDS 1 i Rugby, March 14. > Free French headquarters in London announced: “Raiding operations L in south Libya have been continued ■ successfully. The Italian outpost, Ualou el Kebir, south of Murzuk, has been captured by our detachments - and the garrison troops have been i taken prisoner. Important material i has been seized. Munition and petrol 1 dumps have been set on fire. In the ■ course of a raid on the aerodrome at s Oum el Araneb one of our planes de- - stroyed three enemy aircraft on the 1 ground.”—B.O.W.