INTENSE AIR FIGHTING

Evening Star, Issue 24289, 2 September 1942, Page 5

INTENSE AIR FIGHTING

ENEMY CONCENTRATIONS BOMBED (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. 10.15 a.m.) RUGB?, Sept. 1. It is noteworthy that not a single fighter pilot was lost in the intense air battles over the 'battle area in Egypt yesterday, says a Cairo Agency message, although several R.A.F. aircraft were damaged. The new medium American bombers known as the Mitchell 825, took an active part in the day’s successful attacks. This high-speed twin-engined medium bomber is _ said to be the fastest aircraft of its kind now operating on this front. Six enemy aircraft were destroyed over the El Alamein area during yesterday’s numerous fierce encounters. Heavy bombers carried out lowlevel attacks on enemy forces, and were the first to discover Axis forces on the move. Large formations of enemy motor transport and tanks were seen moving towards the minefield north and south of Gebel Kalak, 25 miles south-south-west of El Alamein. British bombers attacked in formation, scoring a number of hits and starting many fires. Having returned to their base, the bombers reloaded! to resume the attack, and soon after daybreak Baltimore bombers made a heavy raid on the same forces in the face of intense light and heavy anti-aircraft fire. This was followed by a Boston raid on a concentration of 2,000 motor transport vehicles and tank carriers. Subsequently one of the worst dust storms of the year centred round the bases of the British desert squadrons, grounding many aircraft. However, a number of interceptor fighter sweeps were caried out over the, batte area and! British bases. During these sweeps one Macchi 202 was destroyed. A formation of 40 Stukas, escorted by over 50 fighters, was intercepted, and the enemy immediately turned back, despite his great superioritv of numbers. The Stukas jettisoned their bombs, dived to ground level, and made for home. Even so, three Stukas were destroyed and the main object of diverting their attack was accomplished. As the dust cleared in the evening another Stuka formation was caught over the El Alamein area in the act of bomlbing. Those which had not already dropped their bombs were forced to jettison their load hastily and flee, while two of the escorting- fighters were destroyed, without loss to ourselves. During the evening a strong force of British light bombers, heavily escorted, successfully resumed' the bombing of the enemy transport. United States fighter-bombers participated in this raid.