Its starting to trickle in over the wire, The Axis war machine is announcing loud and clear that the HMS Illustrious has been sunk West of Malta. Even before it could be announced by the British government, the BBC intercepted Radio transmissions of the German and Italian success.Now in homes all over England, Family members stayed glued to the Radio waiting for some type of indication of survivors, and exactly what happened.
Fliegerkorps X out of Sicily launched a massive force of JU88 and Bf109s out of Sicily, and found the Illustrious and a wall of Hurricane defenders. The battle strung out over miles of open ocean, Heavy Flak and the Hurricane defense failed to stop the Initial wave of JU88s. Oberfeldwebel "Winstone" of the Unforgiven squadron has been given credit for the Illustrious, a hardened veteran of the Channel Front he delivered the death blow to the already damaged Illustrious.
The Luftwaffe did suffer heavy losses in there bomber department though.
21 Ju88s were lost to enemy fighters, Most it seems were shot down over Malta, where the Luftwaffe pounded A47. Destroying all of its Hangars and knocking out its radar.
The Allies who were looking for the Italian Cruiser Gorizia, found the Regia Aeronautica instead. The Italian Task Force sailed under the protection of both the German and Italian fighters and remained untouched. 10 Boston Bombers were destroyed while trying to sink the Gorizia.
The Royal Navy has dispatched the HMS Southampton to find and destroy the Gorizia. And it looks like a surface engagement is possible if the conditions prove right.
SCORES:
ALLIED: 455 Points
AXIS: 700 Points
Orders to be distributed tonight to the 56th FG and the JG44 Knighthawks.
