HIT IN FLIGHT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 November 1940, Page 5

HIT IN FLIGHT

TWO ITALIAN WARSHIPS DAMAGED DESTROYER TOWED INTO PORT CRUISER STRUCK BY SHELL. ADMISSIONS IN ENEMY COMMUNIQUE. An Italian communique makes it clear that the flight of the Italian fleet from British pursuing warships on Wednesday was not entirely successful, the 8.8. C. observes. The British report stated that the enemy ships were engaged at extreme range. The Italian com- 1 munique admits that two of their ships, a cruiser and a destroyer, were hit. The destroyer had to be towed into port. It is claimed that a shell which struck the cruiser, a 10,000-ton vessel, did not explode. The Italians also admit the loss of two planes. They make their usual claim that they damaged some of the British ships, but for once they do not claim that any of the pursuing ships were sunk.

OFFICIAL DETAILS DESTROYER BADLY DAMAGED. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 9 a.m.) ROME. November 28. A communique admits that the destroyer Lanciere was seriously hit but states that she was towed to her base after the engagement, south of Sardinia. A shell hit the cruiser Fiurne, but did not explode. Two Italian planes were shot down. AMBITIOUS CLAIMS ALLEGED DAMAGE TO BRITISH SHIPS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day. 10.25 a.m.) RUGBY, November 28. . The Italian version of yesterday's Mediterranean engagement makes generous claims to losses inflicted on the British forces—two British cruisers are stated to have been hit and seriously damaged by shells. An aircraft-car-rier, a battleship and cruiser are stated to have been bombed and seven aircraft destroyed. The most significant feature of the Italian communique, however, is • the admission of the losses suffered. The Lanciere is one of the latest Italian destroyers, a vessel of 1,020 tons, completed in 1938. The Fiurne is a 10,000ton cruiser.