AIR VICTORY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 March 1942, Page 4

AIR VICTORY

SCORED BY AUSTRALIANS IN LIBYA NINE AXIS PLANES SHOT DOWN WITHOUT LOSS. BOMBERS & LAND PATROLS ACTIVE. LONDON, March 9. The famous Australian Kittyhawk fighter squadron has scored another success in Libya. R.A.F. Headquarters state that the squadron intercepted and shot down three German dive-bombers and six Italian fighters without losing a single plane. The enemy formation greatly outnumbered the Australians, who immediately attacked. Other enemy aircraft were badly damaged by cannon and machine-gun fire and it is thought that at least one other machine did not reach its base. Yesterday operations over Cyrcnaica were on an intensified scale. Our fighters were active during the whole day. Bombers again raided enemy ba'ses and all returned. Our fighter patrols and mobile columns were again active everywhere. Several enemy patrols with artillery were engaged and forced to withdraw after suffering casualties. INTENSIVE ACTION DETAILS OF ENEMY LOSSES. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day. 9 a.m.) RUGEY, March 9. A R.A.F. Middle East communique states: “Operations in Cyrenaica were on an intensive scale yesterday, fighters being active throughout the day. Aircraft of the Royal Australian Air Force engaged an enemy formation and destroyed three Junkers 87s, two Macchi 202 s and four Macchi 200 s. Further enemy aircraft were extensively damaged. “Tripoli harbour was again bombed on Saturday night. On the same night and also yesterday enemy aircraft continued to raid Malta. The damage and casualties sustained were slight. “None of our aircraft are missing.”