BRITISH CONVOY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 January 1943, Page 3

BRITISH CONVOY

TAKEN SAFELY TO NORTH RUSSIA STRONG AXIS NAVAL FORCE DEFEATED BY DESTROYERS. ALL MERCHANT SHIPS REACH DESTINATION. LONDON, January 8. Another convoy laden with important military supplies has reached North Russian ports after an eventful voyage round the north coast of Norway. The convoy was attacked by considerable enemy surface forces off the Norwegian coast. The destroyer escort beat off enemy attacks and not a single merchant ship was lost. An Admiralty communique states that the action took place on December 31. An enemy force which was thought to comprise a pocket battleship, a cruiser and a number of destroyers was sighted. It was greatly superior to the British destroyer escort. The British destroyers, however, at once closed with the enemy. Four attempts by the German ships to break through and destroy the convoy were defeated by great resolution and gallantry on the part of the destroyer force, which drove off every attack. More powerful British forces then came to the assistance of the destroyers and engaged the enemy ships, which escaped, under- cover of low visibility, and retired at full speed to their base in Norway. One German destroyer was sunk and damage is 'claimed also to one large enemy ship. One British destroyer was lost and another was damaged. In spite of almost continuous darkness, extreme cold, navigational hazards due to ice and low visibility and interference from the enemy, supplies continue to reach Russia by the northern route.