MISSING IN SOMALILAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24400, 11 September 1940, Page 5

MISSING IN SOMALILAND

AUSTRALIAN NAVAL GUNNERS HEROISM DURING EVACUATION (From Our Own Correspondent) SYDNEY, Aug. 24. The Minister for the Navy. Mr Cameron, announced that three ratings from H.M.A.S, Hobart had been reported missing, believed to have been killed in action, in shore operations in British Somaliland. They are the first of Australia’s defence forces to have been lost in a land battle during this war. . , The men. who comprised a gun crew, volunteered for the action and they bet haved with great heroism, said Mr Cameron. The action in which they were engaged was the Battle of Tugargo Gao, where they supported aBritish regiment with artillery fire against a strong Italian attack on August 15. The Italian force greatly superior, in number and artillery, had shelled the British position all day. and in response to a request for artillery assistance, it was decided to land a three-pounder Hotchkiss gun from the Hobart. An improvised mounting was prepared. and volunteers to man the gun were called for. The best men were selected. The gun and its crew were rushed to ■ the front line defences at Tugargo Gap, where the Italian .attack was developing strongly after a prolonged bombardment and the British were hard-pressed. There the gun and the men from the Hobart, in the words of the military officer commanding the area, “fought very gallantly.’’ The three ratings believed to be killed were Petty-officer Hugh Jones, of Midland Junction. Western Australia; Ableseaman Hugh Charles Sweeney, of Brisbane: and Able-seaman William James Hyrren.- of Brisbane. The gun crew’s devotion to duly undoubtedly, contributed to the successful withdrawal of the main British force from Berbera. according, to the official advice received in Canberra. When last seen the crew was still in action against the advancing Italians. Nothing had been heard of the men since the battle. Mr Cameron stated that H.M.A.S. Hobart had taken a prominent part in the Somaliliand operation. A few days ago she had sent her Walrus plane in a successful bombing expedition against an Italian naval concentration at Zeila. She had also assisted short defences by bombing Italian positions from the sea, and was one of the last ships to leave Berbera. destroying parts of the town of military value to the Italians.