VICTORY AT ODDS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 January 1942, Page 3

VICTORY AT ODDS

GAINED BY AUSTRALIAN ' AIRMEN IN JEDABAYA BATTLE AREA. ATTACK AT MANY POINTS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day. 10.5 a.m.) RUGBY, January 9. A R.A.F. Middle East communique states: “While on patrol yesterday in the Jedabaya area aircraft of a Royal Australian Air Force squadron encountered an enemy force of over fifty aircraft, composed of CR42s, Macchi 200 s, CR5Os and Messerschmitt 109 s. Although our aircraft were outnumbered by more than five to one they immediately engaged the enemy, shotl down seven and seriously damaged several others. One of our aircraft is missing from this engagemenrt. “Motor transport and shipping near Bueratelhsun were attacked with good effect. A ship was hit and set on fire. “Bombers of the South African Air Force attacked stores and dumps in the region of Ras el Ali, causing considerable damage. “The weather was somewhat better yesterday for attacking the enemy defences at Halfaya Pass. Bombers of ' the R.A.F. and Free French squadrons ’ kept up a continuous attack through- ’ out the day. A number of hits were ’ obtained on guns and defending positions and considerable damage was also caused to motor transport ve- , hides. “Malta was again raided yesterday ’ and on the previous night and some damage was caused. Two Junkers 88s were hit by anti-aircraft fire but their

destruction is not confirmed. “The only aircraft missing from yesterday’s operations is the fighter already mentioned.”