RED BATTLESHIPS SUNK

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 279, 21 August 1919, Page 5

RED BATTLESHIPS SUNK

BY BRITISH MOTOR BOATS BRILLIANT EXPLOIT IN THE BALTIC Br Teleerauh—Prces Association-Ooovriehl London, August 19. In a naval battle off the Finnish const:, tho Bolshevists are reported to liavo had a battleship, a cruiser, a transport, and «. guardship sunk. The British, lost tlu-eo motor-boats.

An official report from the Admiralty states: Two battleships and 0110 destroyer wero sunk in the Gulf of Finland. A cruiser was probably seriously damaged.—Aun.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

KRONSTADT,BUB-KING. London, August 18. It is reported that Kronstadt is burn-ing.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. | A cablegram to the same effect was received some time ago when rumour was busy with tho impending fall of Petrograil.j (Hee. August 20, B.AO p.m.) Stockholm, August 19. British aeroplanes, in conjunction with motor-boats, attacked Kronstadt, which i$ in flames— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FLEET BOMBARDING THE FORTRESS. (Bee. August 20, 11.15 p.m.) Helsingfors, August 19. A reinforced British fleet is concentrated against Kronstadt, which is reported to be on fire.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable A&sn. FURTHER OFFICIAL REPORTS. (Rec. August 20, 11.15 p.m.) London, August 19. The Admiralty confirms the statement that the Russian battleships Petropavlovsk and Andrei Pcrvovanni were sunk in action in the Gulf of Finland. A Russian destroyer was also sunk, and a cruiser probably seriously damaged. The Admiralty confirms the report that three British motor boats were lost. No mention is made regarding the loss of a Russian transport or guardship, nor of the. los-es to British personnel—Reuter.

A CORRESPONDENT'S STORY DASHING EXPLOIT BY FAST MOTOR BOATS. (Rec. August 21, 0.20 a.m.) London, August 19. The "Daily Express" correspondent ai Ilelsingfors supplies an account of British high-speed coastal motor felts' dashing exploit at Kronstadt iu sinking two Bolshevik battleships, the Petropavlovsk and Marie Feodorovna, and also -a transport with troops and a trawler which was acting as guardship. The motor boats, capable of forty knots' speed, crept in between the forts in the darkness and got within close rango oi the battleships before they were detected, and loosed their torpedoes, each of which found its mark. During the return journey the motor boats were subjected to a heavy lire from the batteries while running tlio gauntlet at full speed between the forts at the moutiToT tho Neva, which are only eight hundred yards apart on -either side of Kronstadt. Three motor' boats wero lost, with eight officers and threo men—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

FURTHER DETAILS (Rec. August 21, 1.25 p.m.) London, August 20. The Kronstadt operation coincides with the renewed aerial attacks on lvronstadt. It is known that British tanks and munitions have arrived at Reval, and these ovents apparently mark trie opening ot the combined offensive against Petrolirad, under .General Yudenitch, although no British are under Tudcnitch. It is duo to the Allied Military Mission's. activities that an understanding was effected between tho Esthonians and Russians. making combined effort possible. Tiie correct names of tho battleships are in accordance with tho following Admiralty official statement: "In a naval engagement in the Gulf of Finland, early on August 18. two battleships, the Petropavlovsk and the Andrei Parvozbawii, and one destroyer, were sunk, while one cruiser was also probably. seriously damaged — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.