Malta Convoy under Attack.
As the resources on the island of Malta deteriorated it became essential to enable a convoy to run the gauntlet of the Mediterranean between the North African coast and Sardinia/ Sicily.
On the night of 11th/12th October a convoy from Port Said at the Egyptian end of the Med managed to break through with Food and some supplies.
The supporting carrier HMS. Illustrious even managing to fly off a Flight of Fairy Fulmars to aid in stiffening the defences.
At the same time a fast Merchantman set out solo from Gibraltar with only a Destroyer escort hoping to slip through the air blockade whilst the Regia Aeronautica’s attention was focused upon the Eastern convoy.
All went well until the morning of the 11th when the two ships were spotted by an Italian submarine 12 miles off the Libyan coast.
The captain immediately signalled back to Palermo, and a Savoia Marchetti Bomber accompanied by a fighter escort was despatched to intercept the vessels.
Air cover from the Carrier Eagle had been withdrawn the previous evening, and thus it fell out that two Fleet Air Arm Martlet Fighters from Luqa arrived to take over just before the Italian strike force homed in on the ships.
Spotting the Italian aircraft almost immediately, the Flight Leader, Lt. Robert Frazer, broke the silence.” Bandits at one o-clock Ivan..... Let’s go get ‘em.
As the Italian bomber lined up its run, the two Martlets dived into the attack.
Whilst Frazer went head to head with the Bomber, Ivan side slipped to get an angle on the leading Falco II. Its pilot Capitano Umberto Cerretani was no novice and mirrored Ivan’s move to maintain the status quo.
Even so, Ivan got the better of his opponent, and whilst taking some fire, delivered a stinging attack on Cerretani.
Robert and the Savoia Bomber exchanged desultory fire, which did minimal damage to either machine.
The head on attack had, however, achieved Robert’s intention of getting behind the Fighter cover.
Meanwhile, the Falcos were now coming under fire from the AA guns of the convoy and were forced to take avoiding action.
This gave both Martlets a free run at the Bomber, and despite some spirited return fire from the Savoia’s rear gunner, they began to chew up the bomber’s tail.
Robert also damaged its port engine, slowing the heavily loaded bomber even more.
Turning away from the ships , Cerretani circled to try and get a position to attack Ivan, whilst his compatriot Immelmanned to come in on Robert’s starboard quarter.
As the bomber positioned for its run on the MV Glen Orchy, both Martlets continued to inflict damage, and disabled it steering.
Frazer now closed up on the bombers tail, and the Italian rear gunner took full advantage, damaging Robert’s ailerons.
His return fire was devastating as a fire broke out amidships on the bomber causing consternation amongst the crew.
Too late to do anything but release his bombs, the Italian bomb aimer let the full load go rather than have them destroy the aircraft by exploding in the fire.
A veritable fusillade now hit the bomber from both ships AA and the two Martlets, bringing it down into the sea just short of the Glen Orchy.
It was, nevertheless, too late to save the freighter which took the full impact of the explosions from the bombs just aft of the bridge.
Severe, damage ensued, including a fire, which it took the damage parties some time to extinguish.
With their job done Capitano Umberto Cerretani and his wingman headed back to Palermo.
It was left to the Destroyer and an RAF. Rescue launch from Gozo to pick up the victims from the water.
The Butcher’s bill.
852 Sq. FAA The Bulldogs.
Lt. Robert Frazer. RTB. One Kill. 6 damage.
Sub Lt. Ivan “the terrible” Smith RTB. 6 damage.
MV. Glen Orchy severely damaged. 52 damage points.
Regia Aeronautica.
Capitano Umberto Cerretani . RTB. 11 damage.
.................................................... RTB. No damage.
Savoia Marchetti SD. 31 damage. Successful bombing raid on MV. Glen Orchy.
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