DESTROYERS’ GALLANTRY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 113, 11 April 1940, Page 7

DESTROYERS’ GALLANTRY

FIGHT AT NARVIK BRITAIN LOSES TWO; ENEMY SUFFER SEVERELY (United Press Association — By Electric Telegraph —Copyright.) Received April 11, 9 a.m. LONDON, April 10. The Admiralty has issued a communique stating that British destroyers attacked the enemy forces at Narvik at dawn to-day and met with strong opposition. H.M.S. Hunter was sunk and H.M.S. Hardy ran ashore. These two ships are destroyers of about 1400 tons and their complements are 155 each. The communique says the rest of the attacking force withdrew. The enemy losses at Narvik are not yet known for certain, but an unconfirmed report from Stockholm says a German cruiser was sunk. An official wireless message from Rugby says:—Further and heartening news of the British naval attack on Narvik was given by Mr Chamberlain to the House of Commons. “Five British destroyers steamed up the fiord and engaged six German destroyers of the latest and largest types who were also supported by the shore batteries and guns newly mounted ashore. “H.M.S. Hunter was sunk and H.M.S. Hardy so severely damaged that she had to run ashore and became a wreck. H.M.S. Hotspur also received serious damage and the destroyer Hostile slight damage. The remaining vessel H.M.S. Havoc was untouched. “After a most determined action against superior forces with larger and more modern ships, and in the face of gunfire from the shore, H.M.S. Hotspur withdrew covered by the other two destroyers. The enemy appeared to be in no condition to attempt pursuit. “One 1600-ton German destroyer was torpedoed and believed sunk, and three were left heavily hit and burning. “It is perhaps not less important that six merchant ships suspected of containing the unloaded stores of the German expedition were sunk on the coast by British destroyers. “On the way out they met the German ship Ravesnfeldt which was found to be carrying reserve ammunition for the landed German force. This vessel was blown up.” Mr Chamberlain said the House would not expect him at the present to deal with other operations and he foreshadowed a fuller statement by Mr Churchill to-morrow.