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Greece, Albania and Dodecanese.
54. During the week an Italian camp at Boulsar, thirty miles from Elbasan, was bombed by three Blenheims, a large fire resulting; military stores at Elbasan were attacked by six Blenheims. Gladiators intercepted nine Italian bombers near Kelcyre and destroyed one and damaged four. Two successful attacks were made on Maritza aerodrome, Rhodes, and on another occasion our aircraft bombed Rhodes Harbour, where fires were started.
On the 29th January, twenty-four enemy aircraft reconnoitred Crete and bombed Heraklion.
Libya and Egypt.
55. Our aircraft carried out repeated bombing attacks against dispersed aircraft and enemy landing grounds at Apollonia, Maraua, Sidi Magnum, Soluch, Barce and Derna. A number of aircraft were damaged on the ground and, at Derna, which was abandoned, fourteen unserviceable aircraft were later observed. Our fighters maintained offensive patrols over the battle area. Hurricanes shot down three Italian fighters near Mechili and destroyed one bomber on the ground. Fifteen Italian fighters engaged in machine-gunning our ground forces near Derna were intercepted, and two of them were destroyed. Gladiators on a protective patrol over the Mechili area engaged five Italian aircraft; one Gladiator is missing and two were damaged. Hurricanes machine-gunned enemy motor transport withdrawing from Mechili and inflicted severe casualties.
56. On the 23rd six enemy bombers attacked our forces near Giarabub without inflicting damage or casualties, and on the following day twelve German aircraft, escorted by Italian fighters, dive-bombed our advanced armoured forces near Mechili and caused casualties. On the 29th/30th enemy aircraft, believed to be German, dropped bombs near the Suez Canal and on Shallufa aerodrome, but there were no Royal Air Force casualties or damage.
Sudan and East Africa.
57. Our bomber and reconnaissance aircraft in the Sudan attacked enemy trenches, dispersed aircraft and railheads in support of our land operations in Eritrea. The railway track and station buildings, and mechanised transport vehicles at Biscia were hit and three direct hits were registered on Maatal railway station. Attacks were also made against Assab and Massawa, and enemy ground forces were harassed at Jokau, Hobok, Keru, Tellina, Barentu, Agordat and Umm Hagar. Over Keru, four of our fighters intercepted three Italian bombers escorted by three fighters; one of the bombers was shot down and the remaining two were damaged.
58. Native troops were machine-gunned on the Liboi-Afmadu road by the South African Air Force operating in Italian Somaliland.
59. A Blenheim from Aden dropped a 1,000-lb. bomb on Duanle station, and Aisha railway station was attacked three times. Both are on the Jibuti-Addis Ababa railway line. During this period no important air operations by the enemy have been reported.
Air Intelligence.
Germany.
60. The total establishment of German Air Force units in the Mediterranean is now estimated at about 450 aircraft, including 200 long-range bombers, 150 dive-bombers, and 40 long-range fighters. About 50 aircraft have so far been lost.
61. Of this force about 40 long-range bombers may be temporarily based in the Benghazi area and up to a further 40 long-range bombers are thought to be at Benghazi or Rhodes. The remaining aircraft are probably based in Sicily, although the identification of transport traffic to Cagliari, Sardinia, points to the possibility of a South Sardinian base being used for offensive operations.
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