CAB80-25 — Page 429

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The

to hangars and barracks and at least eight enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground. Our fighter aircraft made several machine-gun attacks on enemy troops, transport vehicles and landing grounds, causing considerable damage and heavy casualties. At Barce Hurricanes destroyed as many as thirty-six vehicles. harbour at Tripoli was heavily attacked on the night of the 31st January by six Wellingtons from Malta and direct hits were scored on seaplane hangars and on shipping. The only enemy air activity, apart from two attacks on ships and the laying of mines in the Suez Canal by German aircraft, referred to in the Naval Situation, consisted of an abortive attack on Tmimi on the 3rd February.

Malta.

42. Our aircraft carried out several important reconnaissances during the week, including the harbours at Naples, Taranto and Tripoli, and aerodromes in Sicily and Libya.

43. On the night of the 31st January/1st February two enemy aircraft dropped bombs near the Grand Harbour without causing damage or casualties. On the following day an enemy bomber, escorted by twelve fighters, flew over the Island, but they were intercepted by our fighters and two were shot down. On the night of the 4th/5th there was a heavy attack on the dockyard and aerodromes by three large formations of enemy dive bombers. At Luqa and Hal Far there was considerable damage to buildings and a few casualties. Three enemy aircraft were destroyed by our fighters and anti-aircraft defences, and another was probably destroyed. Our losses were three aircraft destroyed and four damaged on the ground.

Greece and Albania.

44. On the 31st January six Blenheims heavily bombed an enemy troop concentration at Dukaj near Tepelene, and inflicted heavy casualties. On the following day over two tons of bombs were dropped on warehouses and munition dumps at Valona.

Sudan and East Africa.

45. Our aircraft continued to harass the communications of the retreating enemy and several heavy attacks were made on his troops and transport, especially in the neighbourhood of Agordat, Barentu and Keren. Particular attention was paid to the railway between Agordat and Massawa, which was heavily bombed in five places, and to the railway from Addis Ababa to Jibuti, which was bombed twice. Enemy aerodromes were also successfully attacked and several aircraft were destroyed on the ground. Assab was successfully bombed on the 1st Feb- ruary. Several reconnaissances were flown, and escorts provided for a convoy. Enemy activity was negligible and consisted of unsuccessful bombing attacks on our positions near the Kenya-Somaliland Frontier.

Air Intelligence.

Germany.

46

It is probable that the German Air Force strength in the Mediterranean is less by some forty long-range bombers than was estimated last week.

French North Africa.

47. The air defences of Tunis and Bizerta are apparently being reinforced.

China.

48. Both Mekong bridges on the Burma Road have now been put out of action by Japanese bombers, but, though some congestion has been caused, a pontoon bridge was in use within twenty-four hours.

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