SAP VITALITY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 216, 11 September 1940, Page 7

SAP VITALITY.

\ MISSION OF AIR ARM. Operations Off Norwegian Coast Effective. British Official Wireless. (Reed, noon.) RUGBY, Sept. 10. Further successes by the Fleet Air Arm against enemy supply ships off the Norwegian coast are disclosed in an Admiralty communique, whieh states: "Aircraft again carried .out an offensive reconnaissance over the Norwegian coast yesterday. This sortie confirmed that two of three tanks of the oil depot at Dolvie, attacked by Skuas on August 8, are completely destroyed and a third tank and pipe-line severely damaged. "Yesterday, Skuas attacked an enemy supply chip of about 2500 tons in Haguesundj scoring hits. Enemy huts south of the Bergen area were also attacked with bombs and hitj obained. Three of the 'huts were completely destroyed and others were damaged. "Our aircraft encountered intense opposition from anti-aircraft batteries and one Skua is missing." An Admiralty announcement of a successful attack by the Air Arm on an enemy supply ship and a tanker off the Norwegian coast, and an oil depot in Norway, followed closely on other reports of offensive operations over tin Norwegian coast. The earlier messa;;* stated: "Skuas and Swordfish on September S left two enemy supply sliijia pinking and abandoned bv their crews. All our aircraft returned safelv. On August S, Skuas set lire to oil tanks in Bergen area and to a motor patrol vessel, and also scored direct hits on a 2000ton supply ship. All of our aircraft returned safely. "Skuas, on August 19. attacked two 3000-ton transports, obtaining direct hits on one of them. They also attacked oil tank*; north of Haugestind. All of our aircraft returned safely. "On August 1. Skuas suo-esMully bombed a wircle=s t-t;iii<»i and a 4000-ton >upp!y ship, leaving tlie latter in a sinking condition and abandoned by its crew. All of our aircraft returned safely. "Many offensive operations were carried out previous to this. These repeated attacks are adding considerably to the enemy's difficulties in an area where sea tran.-jiori and oil supplies ara vital."