Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-01-09
Raj Flyers Are Told
To Fight Back After
Jews Shoot Down 5
BY the Associated Press

grily accused Israel today OF
shooting down five Raj patrol
planes over Egypt and gave her
flyers a. free hand to fight back
At the same time she disclosed
an unspecified number of British
troops have been moved into Aqaba
at the request of her ally. King
Abdullah, to guard that strategic
Red Sea port in Trans Jordan.
In the tense atmosphere, Foreign
Secretary Bevin gave up his week
end in the country and stayed close
to his desk to watch developments
Israeli spokesman in Tel Aviv
accounted for only four British
planes shot down and said at least
three of them went down in fights
that began and ended over Israeli
territory. They admitted the posi-
bility of fights over the border area
but said they could not have taken
place deep in Egyptian territory.
The 1sraelis said they had two
captured British pilots, one slightly
wounded. and that one of the
planes fell near Nirm. a Palestine
settlement Is miles north of the
border line.
British Version of Incident.
The British Air Ministrys version
OF the incident along the Egyptian
frontier was this:
Yesterday morning two forma-
tions, one of four Spitfires and che
of single Mosquito and four
Tempest fighters. left their Suez
Canal Zone base in Egypt on re-
connaissance to ascertain the depth
and scale of Jewish incursion into
Egyptian territory"
They had strict orders" not to
cross the border into Palestine.
The Spitires were attacked by
Jewish aircraft, and none of the
Spitflres returned. The leader of the
Spitflres reported he was attacked
while Is miles inside Egypt and that
he was compelled to bail out. He
was wounded and picked up by an
Arab near Brigabramir, Is miles
west of Rata, the border point.
A few hours later another recon-
Nuisance force was sent to see what
had happened to the Spitfres. It
was also attacked by Jewish air
craft one tempest is missing.
Jewish Planes Non Hostile"
The Air Ministry said that until
now its aircraft had had orders to
avoid combat, but in view of these
unprovoked attacks our aircraft
have now been instructed to regard
as hostile any Jewish aircraft en-
countered over Egyptian territory"
The ministry said British aircraft
had been making trips along the
Egyptian side of the frontier for
several days to learn the positions
of Jewish troops. Britain has a 1886
treaty Of defense with Egypt and
is holding her air bases in the Canal
Zone under that treaty. The zone,
vital to empire communications. is
only about 80 miles from the big
Egyptian base of Ell Arish, 80 miles
from the Palestine border.
The Jews have announced officially
that they chased the Egyptians as
far as Ell Arish few days ago, but
withdrew into Palestine. However.
they have admitted that a few
Jewish troops may still be on the
Egyptian side where they are main
tanning half-ring around the
coastal border town of Rata.
There was no indication that
Britain would resort to force inside
the Jewish state in retaliation. But
the British Foreign Office said it
reserved the right to demand COM
pensation and to take "all possible
further action"
Whether the clashes took place
after the cease-fre deadline on the
southern front remained a ques-
ton.
Incidents Not Connected.
Although linked with the general
tension, the announcement that
British Tommies are moving into
Aqaba had no direct connection
with the plane incident. Plans for
the shift of troops obviously had
been underway for days.
A spokesman said it was only
"natura." that Trans-Jordan should
ask for military aid and that Bri-
tain should furnish it to an ally.
Other government sources said the
troops plainly were being sent to
back up Britain's warning to Israel
against violating Arab frontiers.
A few weeks ago British Spokes-
men in the United Nations reported