CONTINUED SUCCESS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 December 1941, Page 4

CONTINUED SUCCESS

THE BRITISH OFFENSIVE WHOLESALE DESTRUCTION OF ENEMY PLANES. DEVASTATING-ATTACKS ON TRANSPORT. | (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 12.18 p.m.) > RUGBY, December 23. Continued successes against the retreating Axis forces in Libya are described in today’s Middle East communique, which also discloses that no fewer than <74 Axis planes were captured at the Derna Aerodrome. The communique states:

“During Sunday and Monday, the retreating enemy forces in Libya were constantly attacked by our aircraft, particularly in the region of Jedabaya. Heavy casualties were caused among the enemy troops and great damage was done to enemy motorised convoys on the El Agheila Road. One attack on more than a hundred lorries, most of them full of troops, was particularly successful. Many lorries and trailers were completely destroyed. The landing ground at Sidi Magrun was subjected to a series of intensive attacks. South African bombers destroyed at least four enemy aircraft on the ground. Subsequently R.A.F. bombers destroyed two Junkers 52s and damaged a number of others. Then, finally, a large force of South African and R.A.F. fighters attacked the aerodrome just as 25 enemy aircraft were taking off. The fighters destroyed four Junkers 87s, two Junkers 52s and a Junker 88, one Macchi 202 and one Messer? schmitt 109' and severely damaged many other enemy aircraft. Elsewhere two Junkers 88s were intercepted over

the Gulf of Bomba, one of the German bombers being'shot flown into the sea. “During Sunday night, our bombers successfully attacked the aerodrome at Castel Benito, south of Tripoli. Direct hits were obtained on dispersed aircraft. At least seven were destroyed by fire and others were severely damaged. Aerodrome buildings and hangars were also hit. At Tripoli itself, bombs were dropped on a motor transport dispersal area, causing violent explosions and fires. ' “It is now established that 74 Axis aircraft were captured on the Derna, Aerodrome in various stages of unserviceability. These aircraft included eighteen Junkers 325, seven of which were destroyed on landing after our land forces had captured the aerodrome, eleven Messerschmitt 109 s, eight Messerschmitt 110 s, three HO Ils, seven Junkers 87s, four Junkers 88s, six Fieseler Starchers, two S79s, five MacchiSj three Gsos, six gliders and one other aircraft. All the enemy aircraft had been made unserviceable by attacks on the aerodrome or in aerial combats from which they returned in a badly damaged condition. “Enemy aircraft made a number of attempts to raid Malta on December 21. The raiding formations were intercepted by our fighters, which destroyed one enemy fighter and damaged others.

“From these and other operations, three of our aircraft are missing.”