Bombers Strike at Enemy Forces

Manawatu Times, Volume 67, Issue 210, 3 September 1942, Page 5

Bombers Strike at Enemy Forces

AIR BATTLES OVER DESERT. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Sept. 1. It is officially stated that, in air comoat over Egypt yesterday, our fighters destroyed at least seven enemy planes, m addition to many on the ground. Two were shot down by our long-range fighters over the sea at night. Our bombers successtuliy raided concentrations of enemy vehicles in the battle area. it is noteworthy that not a single lighter pilot was lost in the intense ail oatties over the battle area of Egypt yesterday, says a Cairo agency message, aithougn several R.A.F. aircraft were uamaged. New medium American bombers known as Mitchell B-25’s took an active part in the day’s successful attacks. This high-speed twin-engined medium bomber is said to be the lastest aircraft of its kind now in operation over this front. Six enemy aircraft were destroyed over the Alamein area during yesterday’s numerous fierce encounters. Heavy bombers carried out low-level attacks on enemy forces and were the first to discover the Axis forces on the move. Largo formations of enemy motor transport and tanks were seen moving towards a minefield north and south of Gebel Kalak, 25 miles south-south-west of Ala-mein. The British bombers at* tacked in formation, scoring a number of hits and starting many fires. Having returned to their base, they reloaded to resume the attack. 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 2000 motor-transport vehicles and tank-car-riers. Subsequently, one of the worst dust--1 storms of the year centred round the bases of the British desert squadrons, grounding many aircraft. However, a