Official 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

1. 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

Notes

Not yet known

Mission Statistics

Number of aircraft Sent	9
Number of aircraft Effective	7
Enemy aircraft claimed as Destroyed by Bomber Command	1

2. Italian Fleet, East of Malta

Description

RAF torpedo-carrying Beauforts support the attack on the Italian Fleet, claiming a cruiser.

Aircraft type

Not yet known

Notes

Not yet known

Mission Statistics

Service