SCORE REACHES 114

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20918, 19 October 1942, Page 3

SCORE REACHES 114

MALTA’SJVICTIMS only 14 Slots lost INACTIVITY IN EGYPT (Bv Telegraph—Press Arsu. —Copyright.) (IUO a.m.) LONDON. Oct. 18 The enemy continued the- attacks against Malta on Friday night and throughout yesterday. The hostile bombers were accompanied by increased fighter escorts. Eight enemy aircraft were shot down by our fighters. Anti-aircraft fire damaged others. From these and other operations three of our aircraft are missing. The pilot of one is safe, but injured. On Thursday night an enemy plane was shot down by ground fire and our fighters destroyed seven enemy aircraft during Friday. From these onerations seven of our machines failed to return, byit three of the oilots are safe. Roval Air Force headquarters in the Middle East states that since the resumption of the large-scale attacks cn Malta on October 11 until to-day 114 enemy aircraft have been destroyed in defence of the island, 108 by Spitfires, four by long-range and night fighters, one by ground fire, and the remaining one shared by antiaircraft guns and a fighter. Our losses in the same period were 28 fighters with .14 pilots safe. Negligible damage-was done to military targets on Malta.

A communique issued in Cairo states that patrols on both sides were active on Thursday night. On Friday there were some artillery exchanges. Our medium bombers on Thursday night attacked harbour installations at Tobruk, while on Friday our fighter-bombers were active over the Daba landing grounds. United States and Royal Air Force heavy bombers made a daylight attack on Benghazi shipping. To-day, there was nothing to report from our land force. Bad weather yesterday prevented air operations over the battle area. Long-range fighters attacked east-bound enemy transport vehicles on the road between Sidi Barrani and Solium.