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Junkers JU87 over Malta
GERMAN BOMBS DROPPED ON THE ISLAND
Rumours have been circulating for some time that Italian pilots are flying German ‘Stuka’ JU87 dive-bombers over Malta. Unexploded German bombs reported to Royal Engineers Bomb Disposal in recent days – not seen on the Island for some time – provide further evidence to support the claims.
AIR RAIDS DAWN 5 NOVEMBER TO DAWN 6 NOVEMBER 1941
1049-1106 hrs Air raid alarm. Six Macchi 200’s approached from N. and carried out recce of area, Grand Harbour, Delimara and Luqa. Two Heavy Ack Ack positions engaged by barrage, others by Pointers.
1900 hrs Air raid alarm. Several enemy aircraft approached Island, only one crossing coast. Searchlights effected illumination, Ack Ack fired barrages. Bombs dropped in sea.
2132 hrs Air raid alarm. Only one of several aircraft reported in vicinity came over island. Ack Ack fired barrages. Enemy aircraft, a German JU87 piloted by Italians, was hit and crashed on coast East of Dowdall’s Hotel, Marsa Scirocco. Two occupants of machine killed.
Military casualties Flight Sergeant Gordon Lowe, Royal Canadian Air Force; Sergeant Reginald Morris, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR); Sergeant Harry Vickers, RAFVR; all 18 Squadron.
Enemy casualties Pilot Vittorio Bragadin; air gunner Amleto Bruttini, gunner Angelo Gatti; pilot Armando Tosi; all 238 Squadriglia, 96 Gruppo Autonomo .
OPERATIONS REPORTS WEDNESDAY 5 NOVEMBER 1941
ROYAL NAVY Five Albacores bombed Augusta and Licata – dropping 6,000 lbs of bombs and 80 lbs incendiaries.
HAL FAR Two Fulmars carried out patrols of the Pantelleria and Lampedusa region against enemy air ferry service. Nothing was sighted.
LUQA 18 Squadron 8 Blenheims attacked convoy. Sgt Vickers & Sgt Morris failed to return. 1 Wellington attacked convoy. 104 Squadron 10 Wellingtons attacked Castel Benito and Mellaha aerodromes. 40 Squadron 8 Wellingtons attacked Castel Benito aerodrome.
FORTRESS ROYAL ENGINEERS Bomb Disposal UXB Reported 10.
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