RAF Western Desert Air Force
15 June 1942Official Description
7 B-24’s, along with 2 RAF B-24’s and RAF torpedo-carrying Beauforts, attack Italian fleet E of Malta. The B-24’s bomb and damage a battleship and a cruiser, while the Beauforts sink a cruiser.
Description
HALPRO B-24's and two Liberators of No 160 Squadron, RAF, attacked the Italian shipping fleet, which had now put to sea. The Beauforts sank a cruiser, and five of the USAAF planes bombed, claiming hits on a Littorio-class battleship and a Trento-class cruiser.
On their return to base the bomber formation encountered and shot down an Me-110 achieving the first aerial victory in which Americans had participated in the Middle East.
Mission Details
Italian Fleet, East of Malta
Description: 9 B-24 Liberators of the HALPRO detachment and No 160 Squadron RAF attack the Italian fleet near Malta. The Americans claim an ME-110 on the return to base.
Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Unit Hierarchy: Detachment
- Type Category: Bombardment
Mission Statistics
- Enemy aircrafts destroyed by bomber: 1
- Aircraft sent: 9
- Aircraft effective: 7
Italian Fleet, East of Malta
Description: RAF torpedo-carrying Beauforts support the attack on the Italian Fleet, claiming a cruiser.
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People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: Halverson Detachment
- Service Numbers: 12026078 / 0-789038 / 0-388723
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator - Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: Halverson Detachment 1st Provisional Group
- Service Numbers: O-11444
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot