“WELL DONE!"

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 April 1941, Page 5

“WELL DONE! "

THE ADMIRAL’S MESSAGE TO HIS FLEET SURVEY OF THE BATTLE. REWARD FOR LONG WAITING. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.15 a.m.) RUGBY, March 31. In a message of congratulation signalled to all ships after the Mediterranean battle, Admiral Sir A. Cunningham said: “The action was notable for the success gainecTover the enemy, the skilful handling of our cruisers and the untiring efforts of the Fleet Ai’r Arm, which kept me well informed of the enemy movements. A well-press-ed home attack by torpedo-bombing aircraft on the Littorio so reduced the speed of the enemy fleet that we were able to gain contact during the night and to inflict heavy damage. The devastating result of our battleships’ gunfire is an ample reward for months of patient waiting. This work was completed by our destroyers in the admirable way we have come to expect of them. The contribution of the engineroom departments to this success cannot' be over-emphasised. Their work, not only in keeping their ships steaming at high speed for long periods, but in the work of maintenance under most difficult conditions, has been most praiseworthy. I am grateful to all in the Fleet for their support on this and other occasions. Well done!” Athens reports say that among survivors from the Italian cruisers and destroyers sunk in the Mediterranean battle are 35 German officers, pettyofficers and gunners. BATTLE DETAILS ADMIRAL CUNNINGHAM’S REPORT. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day. 11.45 a.m.) RUGBY, March 31. - Further details of the naval battle in the Eastern Mediterranean have peen received from Admiral Sir A. Cunningham. Reconnaissance planes on Thursday sighted an enemy force eastward of Cape Passero, in Sicily, and on Friday morning our light forces

sighted one of the Littorio class battleships, accompanied by cruisers, southwest of Crete, while two enemy battleships, cruisers and destroyers were located to the north of this position. Naval aircraft repeatedly and successfully attacked and damaged the Littorio class ship with torpedoes, and her speed was considerably reduced. R.A.F. bombers also scored hits on cruisers and destroyers and their loss of speed enabled our heavier ships to gain contact. Our battleships went into action just as darkness fell and sank three eight-inch gun cruisers and two detroyers. It is probable also that one other cruiser and destroyer were sunk. Two Junkers 88 dive-bombers were also shot down.

Nearly a thousand Italian survivors have been rescued, but. the rescue work had to be discontinued owing to attacks by German bombers and Sir A. Cunningham sent a signal to the Chief of the Italian Naval Staff to send a hospital ship to the spot.