- 2 - from the GNEISENAU. Fires were started in the jetties and amongst the camouflage netting. 11 squadrons of fighters provided escort to within ten miles of BREST. Bombers shot down three Messerschmidts 109, probably destroyed three and damaged nine. Fighters destroyed four and damaged one. Our losses were four Stirlings, one Manchester and one Hurricane. Two other bombers crashed, the crew of one being saved. 18th/19th. 19 bombers despatched to attack BREST but visibility was poor and results were unobserved. One aircraft crashed on return. LIBYA . On 16th and 17th, Hurricanes damaged 46 lorries and five petrol tankers on the EL AGHEILA road. During the attack on BENINA aerodrome on 16th, two large aircraft were destroyed on the ground and two fires started. On 17th, heavy attacks were made by Blenheims on an enemy mechanical transport column south-east of DERNA and motor vehicles near MEKILI, many vehicles being destroyed. Bostons attacked and hit buildings at GIOVANNI BERTA (18 miles east-south-east of APOLLONIA) and Hurricanes with bombs attacked mechanical transport near EL TMIMI and MEKILI. Marylands destroyed 15 Junkers 52 at BARCE aerodrome. 17th/18th. Wellingtons successfully bombed BENINA aerodrome and attacked mechanical transport on the BARCE-TOORA road. During above operations, two Messerschmidts 109 were destroyed in the air. Six Hurricanes are missing. CENTRAL MEDITERRANEAN. 16th/17th and 17th/18th. Naval Swordfish attacked a 4,000-ton tanker, which is believed to have sunk. 17th. Four Blenheims attacked transport in the OUARA area (west of TRIPOLI) and destroyed two train coaches and two petrol tankers. One Blenheim is missing. FAR EAST. Dutch bomber squadrons attacked enemy shipping at MIRI. One destroyer was hit and near misses were made on one cruiser and on two transports. (IV) ENEMY ACTIVITY 18th/19th. 38 aircraft operated against the United Kingdom, the majority of which are suspected of minelaying in the HUMBER area and in LIVERPOOL BAY. MALTA . 16th/17th and 17th/18th. Bombs were dropped on the Island causing damage to civilian property. |