THE NAVY’S PART

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 November 1940, Page 5

THE NAVY’S PART

OF MAJOR IMPORTANCE IN MEDITERRANEAN BRITISH NAVAL COMMANDERS. HONOURED VETERANS OF GREA7 WAR. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY. October 30. In view of the unprovoked Italian attack upon Greece, naval operations are likely to assume major proportions. With Sir Andrew Cunningham as Commander-In-Chief of the Mediterranean Fleet, and Vice-Admiral J. C. Tovey, as Commander-in-Chief of the Home Fleet, the conduct of operations is in good hands. Sir Andrew Cunningham is a man o: wide knowledge, and is possessed o: fierce energy, power of quick decision and infinite resource. He holds wha is probably a record in the service, ai from 1911 to 1914 he was in continuous command of one ship—the destroyei Scorpion. In the last war Sir Andrew Cunningham distinguished himself ir the Gallipoli campaign, and, after the evacuation, commanded a small detached force in the Aegean. , Aftei various appointments he became Admiral Commanding Destroyers in the Mediterranean, and in 1938 ViceAdmiral Commanding Battle Cruisei Squadrons, becoming Commander-in-Chief about a year later. Vice-Admiral Tovey is another destroyer officer. He greatly distinguished himself at Jutland when commanding the Onslow, and this ship was referred to in a dispatch by the RearAdmiral commanding a light cruisei squadron in the battle. “I should like,” the rear-admiral reported, “to bring to your attention the action of a destroyer—name unknown —which passed close in a disabled condition soon after 6 p.m. She was hardly able to struggle ahead again, but made straight for the Derfinger to attack her. The incident appeared so courageous it seems desirable to investigate it further.” The destroyer was the Onslow.