SOME LOSSES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 February 1943, Page 3

SOME LOSSES

SUFFERED BV CONVOY FOR RUSSIA I BATTLES AGAINST U-BOATS l & AIRCRAFT. CONSIDERABLE TOLL TAKEN OF ENEMY, (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, February 12. A graphic account of how a con- . voy fought its way to Russia, despite submarine and air attacks, is told by the officer of one of the merchant ships. “The first few days,’ he said, “were boisterous, with strong winds and heavy seas. Then we sighted the first sign of ice and snow, and, as we progressed. we heard the rumbling crash of- depth charges. Undersea pirates had smelt us out and our escort was takng necessary counter measures. During the next few days our escort did a good job and no merchantmen were hit. Sunday brought large-scale submarine and air attacks. The first air onslaught was made by some 40 Heinkel 111 torpedo bombers. Our surface escort opened with a heavy barrage and Hurricanes laced into the enemy formations. However, torpedoes were dropped and ships were struck, explosions mixing with the gunfire. The surviving Heinkels swept on to attack the inner columns. All their torpedoes gone, they turned away and made off, Hurricanes striking fast and deadly blows whenever opportunity offered. Through all this hell of fire the convoy carried on and some 13 enemy aircraft were definitely destroyed. For a whole week the attacks continued, but Saturday saw us in the White Sea. On the Sunday, Russian fighters had appeared, and we saw nothing further of the Nazi planes. Then we took our pilots aboard and proceeded toward port. The convoy had suffered losses, but we had exacted a high toll from the enemy and brought a very valuable cargo to Russia.”