Stirring Action Fought By Malta Convoy

Taranaki Daily News, 21 August 1942, Page 3

Stirring Action Fought By

Malta Convoy

British Official Wireless.

Rec. 9.10 p.m. Rugby, Aug. 19. Details now released by the Admiral ty about the operations in the Mediterranean last week when a convoy of supplies was taken to Malta make a stirring story of Britain's determination to keep the gallant island garrison supplied. The naval operations were under the command of Admiral Syfret in the Nelson. The aircraft-carriers were under Admiral Lyster and the light forces and close escort under Admiral Burroughs. The Eagle was torpedoed and sunk by a U-boat on the afternoon of August 11 and attacks by U-boats that day were numerous. Counter-attacks by screening destroyers prevented other hits and the Wolverine destroyed one attacker. Shortly before dark on August 11 torpedocarrying and dive-bombing Axis aircraft , attacked without success and with some j losses. On August 12 the attack was re- j sumed with additional bombers and U- | boats, and while losses were inflicted on the convoy it is known that by evening 39 enemy aircraft were destroyed, five probably destroyed and another U-boat was destroyed by the Pathfinder and the Ithurial. On Monday a merchant vessel was torpedoed by an aircraft which launched charges from near sea-level, and also machine-gunned and used cannon on escorting destroyers. The merchant vessel was left in a sinking condition, and the area was littered with flotsam the following day. The task of escorting the convoy through the Sicilian Channel in the final stages had to be left to Admiral Bur-

roughs' command and long-range fighters from Malta, and the hazard was further increased by attacks from E-boats, two of which are known to have been sunk, and extensive mining by the enemy. A channel had to be swept before the passage of the convoy and during the night of August 12-13 the cruiser Manchester was seriously damaged by a torpedo or mine. She subsequently sank, but the majority of the complement are known to be safe. Loss and damage were also suffered by the convoy On the morning of August 13 enemy air attacks were resumed, but the Malta fighters were able to give more protection. It is not yet possible to compile a final total of the damage inflicted on the enemy, but it is known that 66 aircraft were destroyed and 24 probably destroyed. We lost eight, but four pilots are safe. The anti-aircraft cruiser Cairo and the destroyer Foresight were sunk by torpedoes, but the casualties were light. It is not the intention of the Admiralty to divulg, the number of ships in the convoy or the number which arrived, as the extent of reinforcements to the island would obviously be valuable information to the enemy. Summarised the losses were: — Axis: At least 66 aircraft, two U-boats and two E-boats. British:— Eight planes (with four pilots safe) and four warships. The Cairo was a vessel of 4300 tons, carrying eight 4-inch A.A. guns and twin deck torpedo tubes. She had a speed of 29 knots and a complement of 400. The Foresight was of Ihe Fearless class, completed in 1935, of about 1350 tons, carrying four 4.7 guns and eight tubes and with a speed of 36.5 knots and a complement of 145.