SUCCESS OF AIRMEN

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21604, 15 December 1941, Page 6

SUCCESS OF AIRMEN

DESTRUCTION OF SHIPS WIDESPREAD DAMAGE DONE (Official Wireless) (Received Dec. 15. 3.15 p.m.) RUGBY, Dec. 14 A Royal Air Force Middle East communique states: In the course of extensive and successful operations over the battle area in Libya on December 12 and 13, fighting aircraft of the Royal Air Force, South African Air Force, and the Royal Australian Air Force destroyed 18 enemy aircraft and severely damaged large numberi of other enemy aircraft. The destroyed planes comprised 11 Messerschmitt 109’s, three Macchi 202’s, one JUB7, and two fighters which were not clearly identified.

Our bomber aircraft were also active in raiding enemy motor transport and road communications between Bomba and Derna.

During the night of December 12 *cur aircraft sighted enemy ships, which turned and were engaged by the Royal Navy. Later enemy units were again sighted. One cruiser was completely gutted, another was on fire, and a third unit was steaming ir. a westerly directon, destroyers picking up the survivors. Yesterday our bomber aircraft attacked shipping off Navarino, Methone and Argostoli. The results of the attacks could not be clearly observed. One Messerschmitt 109 was shot down into the sea off Argclstoli after trying to intercept our bombers. It is now learned that on December 11 our aircraft shot down a CR42 into the sea in the Central Mediterranean. From these and other operations 16 of our aircraft are missing.