IMPORTANT RESULTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 May 1943, Page 3

IMPORTANT RESULTS

FROM MINELAYING IN MEDITERRANEAN HAZARDOUS WORK OF BRITISH SHIPS. ASSISTED BY AMERICAN PARTY. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, May 21. The Admiralty states: “As a result of the Allied occupation of Tunisia it has been found possible to assess the results achieved by the mine-layers of the fleet in augmenting the efforts of our other surface, submarine and air forces in disrupting the Axis line of supply. From the evidence now available it is probable that from 30 to 40 enemy warships, supply ships and auxiliaries have been sunk or severely damaged by our mines. “It is seldom that information is forthcoming about the results of a specific series of offensive mine-laying operations, and even in this instance it is probable that further damage was in fact inflicted on the enemy. These hazardous operations, which contributed materially to the success of the Tunisian campaign, were carried out by his Majesty’s minelayers under Captain W. H. D. Friedberger, Captain R. K. Dickson, Captain D. OrrEwing, Lieutenant-Commander L. W. Napier, Lieutenant D. Merw and Lieutenant D. Jermain. Material assistance was rendered by Lieutenant-Com-mander J. Kremer, United States Navy, in charge of a party of United States naval ratings.”