DEFENCE OF CONOYS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 May 1942, Page 3

DEFENCE OF CONOYS

ON THE ARCTIC ROUTE TO RUSSIA CRUISER EDINBURGH LOST WITH FOUR MERCHANT SHIPS. GERMAN DESTROYER SUNK & ANOTHER DAMAGED. LONDON, May 7. Two British convoys on the Arctic route have run the gauntlet of repeated German attacks by sea and air. One was carrying vital war supplies to Russia. Nearly all the ships and 90 per cent of the supplies reached their destination safely. The other convoy was making a return » voyage and the only ship lost was in ballast. The 10,000 ton British cruiser Edinburgh was sunk. The enemy losses included a destroyer and at least three planes. The Edinburgh was hit by a torpedo from a U-boat. With her steering gear damaged, the cruiser continued slowly under her own power. Later, when in tow and under escort, she was attacked by three German destroyers, one of which was sunk and another badly damaged. The Edinburgh, labouring in heavy weather, was hit by another torpedo and towing was no longer possible. She was abandoned and sunk by British gunfire. The homeward bound convoy was attacked by three German destroyers, which five times tried to break through the naval -escort, but were driven off. Only one ship was sunk. The convoy going to Russia was attacked by six dive-bombers and six torpedo-carrying aircraft. Three ships were sunk and another was damaged. These attacks cost the Germans two dive-bombers and at least one tor-pedo-carrying aircraft. The convoy was subjected to a series of determined attacks by’light surface craft, submarines and aircraft, lasting for several days.