ITALIAN WARSHIPS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 September 1943, Page 4

ITALIAN WARSHIPS

NUMBER SURRENDER TO ALLIES ON ARRIVAL AT GIBRALTAR. CLAIM BY BERLIN RADIO. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.5 a.m.) LONDON, September 10. Two Italian light cruisers,'two destroyers and two auxiliary air-craft-carriers have arrived in Gibraltar and surrendered to the Allied forces. According to the Algiers radio, the greater part of the Italian fleet and mercantile marine has put to sea. Ships left a number of harbours, including Spezifc and lonian coast ports. German bombers attacked Italian vessels which were last reported between Corsica and Sardinia, voyaging to Allied ports. Admiral Decourten, Italian Navy Minister, in an order of the day to the Italian Fleet, said: “It is possible that other hard tasks lie ahead of you. You have faced the world’s most powerful navy for the past 40 months and accomplished acts of heroism. The grave condition of Italy compels us to lay down our arms in this struggle, but there may be tasks ahead which will impose on you moral sacrifice. However nothing is unbearable for you when the future of your country is at stake. lam certain you will fulfil your duties in all circumstances.” The Berlin radio claimed that units of the Italian Navy have already joined the German Navy to continue the fight against the Allies.