Original document
(Supplied by Eugen Pinak)
Lageberichte West des Führungsstabes der Luftwaffe
(Situation Reports Western Air Force Command Staff)
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MEDITERRANEAN (X. Flieger-Corps):
January 10th: Reconnaissance to the west of Malta identified a ship formation that consisted of 2 battleships, 2-3 heavy cruisers, 1 aircraft carrier, 6-8 merchant ships and 12-15 destroyers and was heading east t east-southeast towards Malta.
Between 1240 and 1805pm, combat and dive-bombing units launched in five missions under fighter protection attacked this ship formation with 3 SC1800s (1800kg/4000lb High Explosive), 9 SC1000 (1000kg/2200lb High Explosive), 61 SD1000 (1000kg/2200lb Semi Armour Piercing) and a large number of SC250s (250kg/500lb High Explosive) and scored hits.
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1 SC 1000 on the forecastle of the aircraft carrier
2 SD 250 on the stern of the aircraft carrier
1 SD 250 on a destroyer
More hits:
According to reports from the fighter escort, 2 SD 1000s hit the aircraft carrier and there were bomb hits on other, unspecified ships in the formation.
Apart from a weak but long-lasting smoke emission after a hit on the aircraft carrier, no immediate effects were obseved.
In total, the following were used:
7 reconnaissance aircraft
92 strike aircraft
34 fighters
133 aircraft in which 3 aircraft (Ju87) were lost.
For further details, see Appendix 5
Appendix 5 to the Situation Report No. 490
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2. Mediterranean
a) Deployment of X Aviation Corps.
Reconnaissance.
10.1.: The reconnaissance extended to the sea area south and west of Sicily.
Malta: In the port of Calafrana at 0940 hrs a convoy with a course 220° departing, consisting of 5 - 6 destroyers, 5 large tankers, 4 large and 3 medium merchant ships. In the ports of Caen and La Valetta there were 1 large cruiser, 2 other warships, 1 merchant or warship of about 15 000 tons, 6 - 8 small and medium-sized merchant ships and 15 - 20 small ships, apparently fishing boats.
At 0955 hrs there was an enemy fleet convoy consisting of 2 battleships, 1 aircraft carrier, 2 - 3 heavy cruisers and 6 - 8 larger merchant ships about 140 km west of Malta on course 85°.
There were 32 single-engine and 5 twin-engine aircraft at the southern airport in Malta (Halfar?), 6 - 8 seaplanes at the Malta airport and 5 more at an airfield in the middle of the island (?) 5 motorized planes on the runway.
Fighting.
10. 1.: In the period between 1240 and 1805 hours, 5 attacks by combat and dive units took place on the convoy west of Malta, which was reported by reconnaissance. A total of 3 SC 1800, 9 SC 1000, 61 SD 1000 and a large number of SD 250 were dropped.
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Hits by 1 SD 1000 on the forecastle and 2 SD 250 on the stern of the aircraft carrier were observed. Hits by 2 more SD 1000 probable. In addition, 1 destroyer was hit by 1 SD 250. Results on 3 more ships are probable, according to reports from the figher escort.
Armed reconnaissance estw. Malta reported at 2005 a British convoy consisting of 1 battleship, 1 apparent aircraft carrier and several small units on course 300°. There was no attack.
The damaged aircraft carrier of the group operating to the west of Malta could not be found, severe damage to it is likely.
Defence.
At Malta there was well-placed heavy anti-aircraft gunfire at 7000 m. In the vicinity of the fleet formation, mediocre defences by light and heavy anti-aircraft gunfire and partly strong defences by fighter planes.
In total, the following were used:
7 reconnaissance aircraft,
92 bomber aircraft
34 heavy fighters
133 aircraft.
Losses.
Own:
1 Ju 87 crashed for unknown reasons, 2 Ju 87 missing.
Enemies:
None.
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b) Use of Ital. Air Force units
Reconnaissance.
1.10: Aerial reconnaissance found:
0935 hrs 1 battleship, 2 destroyers, 1 T-boat 65 km south-east Pantelleria, course N.
1015 hrs the same group on course 0.
1020 hrs 7 - 8 ships entering Malta.
1125 hrs strong warship unit 45km south-southeast Pantelleria.
1315 hrs the same ship unit 47 km southeast. Pantelleria course 90°.
1400 hrs 1 battleship, 3 cruisers (7000 t) 29 km south-southeast. Pantelleria course 105°.
1645 hrs 3 cruisers 65 km southeast Pantelleria, almost lying still.
1150th hrs were intercepted by 2 torpedo planes 18 m northeast of Linosa Island, 2 battleships, 1 aircraft carrier, 6 cruisers and an unspecified number of destroyers were found.
14 aircraft flew reconnaissance in the area of Malta in order to monitor the course changes of the enemy force’s ship units.
Ital. Combat activity.
9.1.: In the western Mediterranean a larger British sea was attacked by Italian aviation units. Despite heavy anti-aircraft fire, 1 battleship was hit. 1 hostile fighter crashed. 1 squadron attacked enemy in a dive on ships at anchor in the bay of Marsa Scirocco. 1 large ship was hit. An attack on an anti-aircraft battery located there was successful.
To the northeast-west Linosa Island: Aircraft carrier was attacked with torpedoes at 1210 hrs and hit at the stern. Enemies. Fighter and anti-aircraft defense.
3 Ital. Stukas attacked 75 hm southeast Pantelleria …
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… the largest ship of a fleet of 4 large warships. It was hit by 500kg bombs. Burning.
6 Ital. Stukas led under fighter protection a bombing raid on an enemy ship group southwest of Malta. One bomb of 1000kg hit the left side of an aircraft carrier, 2 more fell 5m from the side of the ship.
Night to 11 January: (Malta) Attack on the port of La Valetta
Enemies. Combat activity.
9. 1.: 2 enemy. Aircraft carrying out an attack on Ital. area were shot down.
10. 1.: During an enemy attack, 1 enemy plane shot down over the Gulf of Naples.