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In close support of ground forces our light bombers were in continuous action by day, and on one day a total of eleven squadron sorties were flown by Marylands and Blenheims. On the 20th Marylands made a successful attack on an enemy armoured force moving south from Capuzzo, and on the 22nd 12 Blenheims destroyed at least 100 M.T., including ten petrol tankers, on the El Adem-Acroma road, and exploded a munition dump. Both these forces were intercepted by German fighters, and lost four aircraft on each occasion. Subsequently, fighter escort or cover was provided for our bombers operating in the main battle area and their casualties were light. Heavy losses were inflicted on the enemy armoured force which was approaching the frontier area on the 25th. To the south, smaller forces attacked enemy transport at Bir-el-Gobi and Bir-Hakeim. Blenheims from Malta made three attacks on transport along the coast road between Tripoli and Sirte and destroyed many vehicles, including petrol tankers, which were set on fire. They also attacked an aerodrome and landing ground near Sirte.

78. Besides escorting bomber formations our fighters constantly patrolled the battle area. During a low sweep, 18 enemy M.T. were destroyed and on another occasion Hurricanes attacked about 30 enemy aircraft on Binina aero- drome, including troop transports and gliders, destroying four and damaging at least eight others. Beaufighters made low-flying attacks against enemy aero- dromes at El Tmimi, Slonta (near Cyrene), Barce and Jedabya; petrol tankers were destroyed and much damage was done, notably at El Tmimi and Barce, where 14 Ju. 87s, four S. 79s and an Me. 109 were destroyed. At Jedabya, a transport aircraft was forced to crash when landing. Transport in the Barce area was also attacked and four petrol tankers and several lorries were destroyed. 79. On the 20th, nine fighter sweeps, totalling 177 sorties, were flown over the battle area.

Nine Ju. 87s, escorted by 15 Me. 109s, were attacked and forced to jettison their bombs. Seven Ju. 87s, four Me. 110s and one Me. 109 were shot down during the day for the loss of seven of our fighters and three pilots. On the 25th, 20 Tomahawks intercepted a mixed force of about 60 German and Italian bombers, escorted by fighters, and destroyed ten of the enemy, probably destroyed three and damaged eight, with the loss of only two Tomahawks. Since the beginning of the battle, at least 52 enemy aircraft have been shot down by our fighters, of which we have lost 24, some of whose pilots, however, are known to be safe. Approximately 40 further enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground.

80. During the early part of the week, our night offensive was directed against targets in Eastern Cyrenaica. On the night of the 19th/20th, 43 tons of bombs were dropped at Derna and ten tons at Bardia, and on the following night 32 Wellingtous attacked the aerodrome and landing grounds at El Gazala. On the four succeeding nights Benghazi was attacked-the aerodromes of Berca and Binina by a total of 61 Wellingtons. and the harbour district by 44. Aircraft from Malta as well as from Egypt took part in these attacks. On the aerodromes, hits were made on petrol and bomb dumps and on buildings; in the harbour district, bursts were seen on a landing stage and in the area of the railway, workshops, Customs Houses and Military Headquarters. Two 4,000-lb. bombs exploded near the base of the Cathedral mole, resulting in large explosions and fires. Five Wellingtons were lost during these operations.

81. Reconnaissance aircraft from Egypt covered the area between Crete and the Libyan coast in search of shipping, and on the 24th sighted a convoy about 65 miles west of Crete. A striking force of Blenheims despatched to attack the convoy failed to locate it, but the merchant ships were subsequently sunk by a naval force from Malta, as reported under "Naval Situation." Tactical reconnaissances were flown daily over the battle area and a close watch was kept on enemy movements at Benghazi.

82. Heavy rain and floods which made aerodromes unserviceable and communications difficult, hampered the operation of the enemy air forces, which were mainly employed in the protection of their bases and support of their ground troops. Their operations against our fleet were on a light scale, and bombing of our back areas was not heavy or particularly effective. No attacks were made against Alexandria or the Canal zone.

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