DETAILS GIVEN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 October 1941, Page 5

DETAILS GIVEN

ATTACK ON MEDITERRANEAN CONVOY THIRTEEN ENEMY PLANES DESTROYED. H.M.S. NELSON DAMAGED. ißritish Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.50 a.m.) RUGBY. September 30. The First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr A. V. Alexander, in a statement in the House of Commons on the recent naval action in the Mediterranean, when thirteen Italian aircraft were destroyed, said: "During the morning of September 27 it became apparent that the convoy and its covering forces were being shadowed by enemy aircraft, and in the early afternoon the British ships were attacked by three groups of torpedo-carrying aircraft, heavily escorted by fighters. At the same time bombers passed over the fleet, but no attack was observed. The enemy was engaged by naval fighters and by gunfire. Four enemy torpedobombers and one fighter were destroyed by naval fighters and in addition one probably was destroyed and others damaged. Six torpedo-bombers and one fighter were shot down into the sea by the gunfire of the fleet. H.M.S. Nelson was hit by one torpedo and her speed was slightly reduced. There were no casualties in the Nelson. During the afternoon the enemy attempted a second attack, but were intercepted and driven of! by naval fighters and no further attacks were attempted.

On September 30 one enemy aircraft was intercepted and destroyed while attempting to shadow. The British losses were three naval fighters, the crows of two of which were saved.

During the course of those operations reports were received that an. Italian naval force was at sea. This force, however, took evading action and could not be brought to battle.”