GRIM AND DEADLY CONFLICT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 May 1941, Page 5

GRIM AND DEADLY CONFLICT

Navy Smashes One Convoy and Pursues Another INCREASING TOLL TAKEN OF ENEMY PARACHUTISTS BRITISH FIGHTER PLANES WITHDRAWN LONDON, May 22. Fighting- continued throughout the day in Crete, the new Mediterranean battlefield. The latest development is a German attempt to land troops by sea. This attempt began last night,' when British naval forces intercepted an enemy convoy making for the island and sank the destroyer escort, two transports and a number of smaller craft. Later a convoy of thirty vessels was attacked by British naval forces and Mr Churchill, speakingin the House of Commons, said that although he did not know the result oi this engagement, he was optimistic about it. The German invasion of Crete by parachute and air-borne troops continues and the latest reports show that the situation is well in hand. Three counter-attacks have been launched against the enemy and the German losses in the latest operations are reported to have been heavier than before. The Allied troops are fighting without support from the air. It was found impossible to carry out satisfactory fighter defence of aerodromes which were under such a large-scale enemy attack. When the German attack was launched, the British commanders decided to withdraw those machines that remained, as otherwise there would have been a useless waste of British fighters. British bombers, however, are makingrepeated attacks on aerodromes in Greece from which the Germans are carrying out the invasion of Crete.