Page 2. (iii) AIR OPERATIONS. At dusk on 4th Hudsons hit and probably destroyed a 2,500 ton M/V off Norway. 5th. Hurricane Bombers and Fighters damaged several coastal vessels off Northwest France. One M.E. 109 was destroyed. 4 Hurricanes and 2 Spitfires were lost during day. Off Dutch Coast Beaufighters damaged a small ship and a Hudson probably sank a trawler. 5th/6th. No bombing operations. Libya. 3rd/4th and 4th/5th. Wellingtons dropped a total of 75 tons of bombs on enemy concentrations El Adem area and started large fires. 4th. 11 Blenheims and 2 squadrons of Marylands attacked transports East of Sidi Rezegh. Large fires were started and explosion caused among about 700 M.T. on Trigh-Capuzzo South of Gambut. Acting on information from ground sources, 2 S.A.A.F. Tomahawk squadrons surprised, over El Adem, a formation of dive bombers escorted by Italian Fighters. In ensuing fight, 6 Junker 87's were destroyed, 1 and 1 Fighter probably destroyed and 5 Junker 87's damaged. No casualties to Tomahawks but 2 collided when returning, both pilots saved. 4 Tomahawk and Hurricane Squadrons intercepted a formation of Junker 87's escorted by German and Italian Fighters, about 70 all told, which were attaching our ground forces in Sidi Rezegh area. The dive bombers were forced to jettison their bombs; one Junker 87 and 8 Fighters were destroyed, one Junker 87 and 5 Fighters probably destroyed and 6 Fighters damaged. Our casualties one Hurricane and two Tomahawks, two pilots safe. (iv) G.A.F. Nothing to report. (v) Aircraft casualties in operations over and from British Isles. German - one, British - six. (vi) Since Surian campaign the Germans have permitted an expansion of French Air Force, the first line strength of which has increased from about 850 aircraft on 1st October to nearly 1,000 on 1st December. |