NAVAL SUCCESS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20916, 16 October 1942, Page 3

NAVAL SUCCESS

CHANNEL BATTLE SERIOUS ENEMY LOSS SUPPLY SHIP BLOWN UP (By Telugraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) (11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, Oct. 15. The Admiralty announces that our light naval forces intercepted and destroyed an important enemy supply ship in the English Channel early yesterday. The strength of thh escort was such that the enemy obviously attached great importance for the vessel’s safe passage. The enemy was first located on Tuesday evening by naval aircraft operating under the Coastal Command. Light naval forces later intercepted the enemy off Cap Gris Nez and in the ensuing engagement the supply ship was severely damaged by gunfire. Two of the escorts were also damaged and set on fire. These fires were visible from the English coast. The remainder of the enemy escort force retired. Later, a motor torpedo-boat attacked and hit the damaged enemy supply ship with two torpedoes. A heavy explosion followed and the ship blew up. Shortly afterwards, another naval force brought a group of enemy vessels to action near Guernsey. One enemy torpedo-boat was damaged and an enemy R-boat was also hit and blew up. „ In both these actions, fought at close range near the French coast, enemy coastal batteries vainly opened fire on pur ships. Only superficial damage was sustained by one of our ships and the only casualties were two ratings wounded.