NAVAL FEAT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 July 1941, Page 5

NAVAL FEAT

CONVOY PASSED THROUGH MEDITERRANEAN TAKING REINFORCEMENTS TO MIDDLE EAST. ATTACKS THAT FAILED. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, July 2G. An Admiralty communique states: “It is now possible to give some account of recent naval, operations in the Mediterranean, which, under the. command of Vice-Ad-miral. Sir -Tames Somerville, resulted in the successful passage of an important convoy through the Central Mediterranean without loss 1o Ihe, e.onvov.

A merchant ship, however, was damaged and the destroyer Fearless was lost, but the object of the operations was successfully achieved, and considerable losses were inflicted on the enemy air forces. “On the morning of July 22. our ships were sighted by enemy reconnaissance aircraft. That night a Üboat delivered an attack which was not successful, and it is possible that the U-boat was destroyed by a very strong counter-attack to which it was subjected. “On the next morning the first series of air attacks was developed by torpedo-carrying aircraft and highlevel bombers. Of six torpedo-carry-ing aircraft three were shot down by anti-aircraft fire.

LOSS OF FEARLESS.

“H.M.S. Fearless was hit by a torpedo and subsequently had to be sunk by our force. The casualties were not large, but the names have not yet been received.

“The high-level bombing attack was completely unsuccessful. Two of the enemy bombers were shot clown by naval aircraft and two others were probably destroyed. Three of our aircraft were lost in this engagement, but the crews were all saved.

“During the afternoon a further air attack by bombers and torpedo-carry-ing aircraft was developed, and these were abortive. Two S79’s were shot down by our fighters and a Cant was damaged. “In the evening our ships and the convoy were again unsuccessfully attacked by bombers and torpedo-carry-ing aircraft. At this critical period the convoy was close to the enemy base, but it eluded the enemy air forces by determination and skilful handling. Enemy aircraft were seen to be searching unsuccessfully with the aid of a large number of flares. “Early on July 24 the convoy and escort were attacked by E-boats. During this attack a ship of the convoy received damage, but was able to con- ! t'inue under her own power. One Eboat was certainly sunk and another was probably damaged. “Three separate air attacks were then developed on the convoy and escort between 6.30 and 10 a.m. These were carried out by German divebombers, and at the same time the ships were being subjected to highlevel bombing. None of our ships was hit, and one German dive-bomber was shot down by anti-aircraft fire. Enemy air attacks also developed against the Fleet, but no damage or casualties were suffered by our ships. Shortly before the development of the most serious of these last air attacks two Cants were shot down by our fighters. TWO WARSHIPS DAMAGED. “The main attack was delivered by torpedo-carrying aircraft and highlevel bombers. It was intercepted and broken up by our fighters, and two S79’s were shot down and one was damaged. Three our our naval aircraft were lost, but the crew of one was saved. During these operations one of our cruisers and a destroyer suffered damage, and there was a small number of casualties in both ships.

“Apart from the one attack by Eboats in which one was sunk and another probably damaged, no attempt was made by enemy surface forces to interfere, though our important convoy had of necessity to be for some time in close proximity to the enemy’s main bases. The enemy air forces were unable to prevent the difficult operations being brought to a successful conclusion, and the long series of heavy air attacks resulted in the destruction of a minimum of 12 enemy aircraft with at least four others being damaged and probably destroyed.”

THANKS OF NATION EXPRESSED BY FIRST LORD. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, July 26. “I thank you on behalf of the Admiralty. The whole nation thanks you. Good night and God speed!” These words concluded a message of congratulation which Was broadcast by the First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr Alexander, to Vice-Admiral Somerville and all the personnel in the convoy and escort which, with the loss of H.M.S. Fearless, have successfully passed through the Mediterranean.

“The safe and timely arrival of the convoy you knew meant reinforcements for our forces in the Mediterranean theatre in ships, fresh troops, munitions and stores,” Mr Alexander said. “. . . Though one of the convoyed ships was hit she carried on and all the convoy secured a safe and timely arrival which has meant so much to those whom we are reinforcing.”