GERMAN FAILURE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 April 1942, Page 3

GERMAN FAILURE

IN ATTACKS ON CONVOY FOR RUSSIA ENEMY DESTROYER SET ON FIRE ANOTHER HIT AND STOPPED. THREE U-BOATS POSSIBLY SUNK. LONDON, March 31. One German destroyer was sunk by British and Russian warships when enemy light naval forces attempted to attack one of our convoys proceeding to Russia. Three Üboats were also severely damaged and possibly sunk. The ships, carrying American and British supplies, proceeded safely on their way. An Admiralty communique states that the enemy made two attacks. On Sunday morning the cruiser Trinidad engaged a large enemy destroyer and set her on fire. A few hours later a second attack was made. The destroyer Eclipse hit and stopped a German destroyer. In this action U-boats were badly mauled. The Germans have already admitted the loss of one destroyer. Some damage was done to the Trinidad and the Eclipse, but both ships have returned safely to harbour. After the Eclipse had hit and stopped an enemy destroyer, .the arrival of two more enemy destroyers compelled her to break off the engagement. There were a few casualties on the British warships. The Trinidad is an 8,000-ton cruiser and the Eclipse a 1.375-ton destroyer.