27th. As a preliminary to an attack by our armoured units, MARYLANDS and Blenheims bombed the column of enemy tanks and mechanical transport moving westward south east of GAMBUT: many hits were scored. Another effective attack was carried out against a mechanised transport column and a large dump on AKR0MA Road near EL ADEM. During 26th and 27th our fighters made several sweeps over battle area and destroyed 2 enemy aircraft in the air and 3 on the ground, plus 9 damaged. 30 lorries some containing troops and an armoured car were also destroyed. Central Mediterranean. 27th/28th. 21 Wellingtons dropped 25 tons of bombs including 3 4,000 pounders on Naples, 1 4,000 pound bomb is reported to have fallen in Royal Arsenal and another on a railway junction. Other hits were claimed on a torpedo factory and aircraft works 2 factories and an oil storage depot. 3 oil tanks were ignited and several other large fires were started. Blenheims reported 5 hits on a 5,000 ton tanker in NAVARIN0 Bay which set her on fire, Near misses were claimed on a 8,000 ton laden merchant vessel. (iv) G.A.F. 28/29/ 55 aircraft were (?reported in operation) several of which were minelaying: 35 flew across DEVON and S0MERSET and some reached South Wales. One was shot down by a night fighter. LIBYA. 27th/ One Italian Bomber, escorted by 11 Italian fighters, attacked AUGILA. Hurricanes shot down the bomber: One Hurricane was lost but the pilot saved. (v) Aircraft casualties in operations over and from British Isles. German: 1 destroyed. (vi) Home Security. 28th/29th. Parachute mine and bomber were dropped in SOMERSET, DEVON and -3- |