U-boat Cut In Two By Destroyer

Taranaki Daily News, 21 August 1942, Page 3

U-boat Cut In Two By Destroyer

Probably submarine that sank the Eagle. Rec. 10.5 p.m. Gibraltar, Aug. 19. The destroyer Wolverine 12 hours after the Eagle was torpedoed rammed and sank a U-boat at the point where the U-boat which sank the Eagle might well have been. The Wolverine's captain said the Uboat was sighted on the surface 1000 yards distant. The Wolverine increased speed to full and the U-boat appeared to be moving in the same direction as 'the Wolverine, which rapidly overhauled V.W.T.VAV.W.WAV.WAV.

her. The U-boat did not attempt to dive and seemed . unaware of its fate. Rushing on her, the Wolverine was within a few. hundred yards when the U-boat turned broadside on to the destroyer, which was steaming at 26 knots with a big bow wave. The Wolverine's searchlight was switched on when the U-boat was 50 yards away. The U-boat was hit just abaft the conning tower and was cut in two. The bow section was carried forward 30 yards. A destroyer which was following the Wolverine reported hearing cries and seeing members of the crew but they were unable to pick them up. A Cairo message says that about 100 I Axis planes are known to have been •destroyed or damaged during the passage of the most recent convoy to Malta. The Fleet Air Arm shot down 39 into the sea, ships' guns got another " eight and the Royal Air Force destroyed 13. Problably from 30 to 40 others were damaged or destroyed by planes and by gunfire. It is regarded as signifteant that the convoy has not been further attacked 6ince its arrival at Malta.