SUPPORT FOR R.A.F.

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 291, 7 September 1942, Page 5

SUPPORT FOR R.A.F.

U.S. Bombers’ Success In Middle East (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 5. Photographic reconnaissance has 'proved that the attack by United States bombers on shipping at Candia in Crete resulted in one merchantman being destroyed by fire. Two others were still ablaze. Air Vice-Marshal Coningham, Air Officer Commanding in the Western. Desert, has sent a personal message of congratulation to American fighter and medium bomber units in the Middle East. He says the R.A.F. is most grateful and full of admiration for the valiant support tie American- pilots and crews are giving.

TANKS AND SHIPPING BATTERED Steady R.A.F. Bombing ■ (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 5. Im the • Middle East battle area, R.A.F. medium bombers and light aircraft destroyed many enemy vehicles in attacks on tanks and motor transport last night. ' Yesterday strong formations of light bombers continued attacks on the enemy withdrawing .to the west. In the southern sector, hits were scored on two tanks and an armoured car. Sandstorms reduced air activity after midday. The R.A.F. Middle East news service says that the bomber attacks destroyed some tanks and many transport vehicles and a large number of fires was started. Two particularly heavy explosions were caused, one throwing debris 5000 feet into the air, and the other rocking aircraft 6000 feet up. In all these operations, six Axis aircraft were destroyed. Thirteen of our aircraft are missing, but at least five pilots are safe. Enemy Destroyer Damaged. R.A.F. bombers and- torpedo aircraft attacked an Axis convoy in the eastern Mediterranean the previous night. A medium-sized merchant-vessel was torpedoed and split in-tiVo. Three ships were left on fire, three hits being made on one destroyer. Reconnaissance later revealed one medium-sized vessel and another on fire, with a hospital ship standing by. Long-range fighters shot up eastbound traffic between Solium and Sldi Barrani, setting fire to two • petrol lorries and damaging more than 30 carrying stores. Enemy aircraft which crossed the Egyptian coast last night were attacked by night fighters, and three Cants ZlOO7 were shot down. Another five enemy machines were destroyed near the battle area. One of our fighter pilots is missing, but two previously reported missing are safe, and one missing aircraft is also safe. Earlier Attacks. Two enemy convoys were successfully attacked in the Mediterranean on the night of September 2 by R.A.F. bombers. One ship was badly damaged in each convoy. A R.A.F. reconnaissance squadron on the previous night discovered a convoy in port and bombed its escort of ships, forcing it to lie up in harbour all the next day. On the next night the convoy was discovered to have sneaked out of port. Bombers pressed home the attack and hit a large tanker. A violent explosion followed. Later observation showed that the tanker was badly damaged. The other convoy, consisting of medium-sized merchantmen, was attacked by torpedo-carrying aircraft. One ship was hit by two torpedoes. Later observation showed that this ship had been beached. Wrecked motor transport vehicles wero seen on its deck.