BIG CONVOY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 April 1942, Page 4

BIG CONVOY

WITH STRONG NAVAL ESCORT FIGHTS WAY INTO MURMANSK THROUGH ATTEMPTED GERMAN BLOCKADE. LARGE SUPPLIES OF TANKS & PLANES. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.50 p.m.) LONDON, April 13. _ A big convoy of British, American and Dutch merchantmen has arrived at Murmansk, after fighting its way through the Germans’ attempted naval and, air blockade. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Stockholm correspondent says that German longrange bombers, based in Northern Norway, incessantly attacked the convoy in the Arctic Ocean. Berlin reports claim that the bombers set fire to two freighters and damaged a third. German warships were not in action against the convoy, which was guarded by a naval escort. The correspondent adds that the strength of the escort fulfils the British Admiralty’s promise of increased protection for Russianbound convoys as the Arctic winter darkness passes. The convoy brought a large supply of United States, Canadian and British tanks and fighter planes for the Russian spring campaign. As the convoy approached Murmansk, six patrolling Soviet fighters intercepted fifteen German divebembers, . protected by 13 Messerschmitts. A Russian communique says three German planes were rammed in mid-air and the rest made off.