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68. In daylight, four Blenheims carried out a very successful raid on barracks south-east of Mellaha aerodrome. The barracks were hit, as well as M.T. and a fighter on the aerodrome. A total of four Beaufighters made three attacks on M.T. on the Tripoli (L)-Sirte road; at least 28 lorries were damaged, seven petrol tankers set on fire and four others hit, while one Italian bomber was shot down.
69. On the 29th November six Blenheims attacked shipping in Navarino Bay and harbour in very bad weather, obtaining five direct hits on a tanker of 5,000 tons, which was set on fire; near-misses were made on a laden merchant vessel of 8,000 tons. On another day two merchant vessels escorted by a destroyer were attacked north-west of Navarino; one ship of 4,000 tons which was set on fire was abandoned by the crew, while the other, a vessel of 2,000 tons, was damaged. Blenheims made two separate attacks on the tanker Mantovani, approaching Tripoli (L), which was carrying more than 10,000 tons of fuel oil and ammunition; a number of direct hits were made, and two bombs burst in the engine-room; the vessel was down by the stern and was finally sunk by a Naval force.
Libya.
70. In daylight our bombers and fighters operated in close support of our ground forces, although the military background to these operations during the week has remained confused. The German Air Force failed to maintain a high level of activity, which is due probably to supply difficulties, our successful attacks on enemy aerodromes, and particularly to the enemy's lack of fighters. A few large enemy formations were encountered, but it is noteworthy that our continuous fighter sweeps and numerous bombing attacks met with so little opposition.
Day Bombing.
71. An enemy column of tanks and M.T., which crossed the frontier on the 25th November, was attacked by two squadrons of light bombers on the 27th, south-east of Gambut, and many direct hits were made on M.T. vehicles. This was a preliminary to their engagement by British armoured units. Two other squadrons bombed, very effectively, a M.T. camp and a large dump west of El Adem; the dump and many vehicles were completely destroyed. During these two operations our aircraft encountered intense A.A. fire, and one Blenheim was shot down and eleven other aircraft damaged. Hurricanes carrying bombs also attacked and dispersed a stationary party, believed to be a Staff Conference, in the Trigh Capuzzo area.
72. The following day a squadron of Blenheims reported good results from its attack on M.T. north of the Bardia-Tobruk road. Four other squadrons operating independently successfully bombed M.T., an aerodrome, and military objectives between El Gazala and Barce; four Blenheims are missing from these operations.
73. On the 29th November and the two following days our attack was con- centrated in the El Adem and Sidi Rezegh areas. Sixty to seventy sorties were made each day by Marylands, Blenheims, and Hurricanes carrying bombs, and were directed principally against M.T. and A.F.Vs., a large number of which were destroyed or damaged. On the 2nd and 3rd December operations were severely restricted by rain and very low cloud. Marylands attacked supply dumps at Bardia and obtained some direct hits. Attacks were also carried out on enemy concentrations of M.T. in the Sidi Rezegh area and along the Trigh Capuzzo, and many direct hits were made. Fighter protection was provided in most of these attacks, and very few casualties were sustained by our bombers.
Fighter Operations.
74. Our fighters, in addition to providing fighter escorts, carried out frequent offensive sweeps. They fought the enemy whenever possible and dominated the battle area. A very successful engagement occurred on the 30th November, when two squadrons of Tomahawks intercepted about 30 Ju. 87s escorted by fighters north-west of El Gobi. Our fighters forced the dive-bombers to jettison their bombs and in the subsequent combat 15 of the enemy aircraft
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