MALTA RAIDERS SUFFER

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXVI, Issue 242, 14 October 1942, Page 5

MALTA RAIDERS SUFFER

HEAVY LUFTWAFFE CASUALTIES

B.O.W.

RUGBY, Oct. 13.

"It is now known," says a Cairn ccmmunique, "that at least 24 enemy aircraft were destroyed and about 50 damaged in yesterday's attacks on Malta. "Our patrols were active on Sunday night. Small parties of enemy transport were dispersed by our fire yesterday. "On Sunday night our bombers started a particularly large petrol fire at Tobruk, and also claimed a direct hit on an enemy destroyer north of Derna. An Italian merchantman which was sinking was sighted near the same position. "Air aetivity in the battle area yesterday was not on a large scale, but our light bombers and long-range fighters again successfully attacked a train, petrol lorries, road transport and a schooner. They shot down two enemy bombers. "We lost six aircraft, including five Malta fighters. Two of the pilots are safe." Of the 50 enemy planes reported damaged in yesterday's raids on Malta it is considered that few would reach their bases. Those reported destroyed were definitely shot down in the Malta area. In the two days since the Axis intensified the Malta air assault at least 40 enemy planes have been destroyed for certain by our Spitfires. That our fighters have established moral superiority over the Luftwaffe is indicated by an incident yesterday when 45 Messerschmitts ran away from about half that number of Spitfires. In three raids on Malta yesterday, the Axis air forces lost 12 bombers and ten fighters, states a Valetta communique. The island's defences destroyed five bombers and one fighter in the first raid soon after dawn, and three bombers and three. fighters in the second raid, when some of our aerodromes were attacked. Other enemy planes were damaged. Our fighters met the enemy coming in for the third raid and massacred them. Half the bomber force was shot down into the sea, together with five of their escort planes. The remaining bombers and also many fighters were badly damaged. Malta has now -accounted for nearly 1000 enemy planes.