FIGHTING IN EGYPT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 2 September 1942, Page 5

FIGHTING IN EGYPT

FIERCE AIR ENCOUNTER

AXIS FORCES POUNDED NEW AMERICAN BOMBER (Rec. 9.35 a.m.) Rugby, Sept. 1. Fighting in Egypt continued throughout the day and is still progressing according to a correspondent with the Eighth Army. Fighting is mainly confined to the southern sector. The result of engagements between British light armoured forces and enemy tanks is not available yet. Despite curtailment of air activity by dust storms the R.A.F. carried out most successful bombing raids. It is noteworthy that not a single fighter pilot was lost in intense air battles over the battle area in Egypt yesterday says a Cairo agency message, although several R.A.F. aircraft were damaged.

New medium American bombers known as the Mitchell 825 took an active part in the day’s successful attacks. This highspeed 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 low-level 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 a 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 they reloaded to resume the attack. INTENSE ANTI-AIRCRAFT FIRE 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 carriers; Subsequently one of e worst duststorms of the year centred round the bases of the British desert squadrons, grounding many aircraft. However, a number of interceptor fighter sweeps were carried out over the battle area and the British bases. During these sweeps one Macchi 202 was destroyed. A formation of 40 turned back despite great superiority in numbers. 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 in the El Alamein area in the act of bombing. Those which had not already dropped their bombs were forced to jettison their loads 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 enemy transport. United States fighters and bombers participated in this raid. (A 8.0. W. message published yesterday stated that the fighting which had broken out in Egypt was on a major scale. A later message amends this statement to read: “It is not yet certain whether the enemy offensive is on a major scale.”) ESTIMATED STRENGTH OF AXIS FORCES (Rec. 10.45 a.m.) Rugby, Sept. 1. Axis forces in North Africa are now estimated at twelve divisions, including two German and two Italian armoured divisions, and two German and six Italian infantry divisions. Whether all these are of full strength is unknown. Recent arrivals were the German 104th and the Italian Pistoia divisions.—B.O.W.