IMPORTANT AXIS SHIP

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXVI, Issue 244, 16 October 1942, Page 5

IMPORTANT AXIS SHIP

SUCCESSFUL INTERGEPTION EXPLOIT BY MOSQUITO FLEET.

B.O.W.

RUGBY, Oct. 15

The Admiralty announces: Our light naval forces intercepted and destroyed an important enemy ship in the English Channel early on Wednesday. The strength of the escort was such that the enemy obviously attached great importance to 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 engagements the supply-ship was severely damaged by gunfire, and two escort vessels were also damaged and set on fire. These fires were visible from the English ooast. The aremainder 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 forought 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 opened fire on our ships in vain. Only superficial damage was sustained by one of our ships, and the only casualties v/ere two ratings wounded.