NO PILOTS LOST BY R.A.F.

Southland Times, Issue 24839, 3 September 1942, Page 5

NO PILOTS LOST BY R.A.F.

BIG BATTLES IN AIR LONDON, September 1. It is noteworthy that not a single fighter pilot was lost in the, intense air battles over the battle area in Egypt yesterday. Several Royal Air Force aircraft, however, were damaged. New medium American bombers, known as the Mitchell B 25, took an active part in the day’s successful attacks. These high-speed twin-engined medium bombers are said to be the fastest aircraft of their kind now operating on this front. Six enemy aircraft were destroyed over the El Alamein area during the numerous fierce encounters. Heavy bomber forces carried out low-level attacks on the enemy forces and were the first to discover that the Axis forces were 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. The 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. 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 bomber raid on a concentration of 2000 motor transport vehicles and tank carriers. DUST-STORM BREAKS OUT Subsequently one of the 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. During these sweeps one Macchi 202 was destroyed. A formation of 40 Stukas escorted by more than 50 fighters was intercepted. The enemy immediately turned back, despite great superiority in 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 district 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 load hastily and to flee while two of the escorting fighters were destroyed without loss to the Allies.

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.