NAVAL ENCOUNTER

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 147, 3 April 1941, Page 5

NAVAL ENCOUNTER

ITALIAN ACCOUNT OF BATTLE.

DAMAGE TO BRITISH CLAIMED ROME, April 2. An. Italian eommunique on the battle in the lonian Sea states: “For some time, a growing intensification of enemy traffic between Egypt and Greece has been noticed. Our destroyers and aeroplanes have often: taken action against this traffic, , inflicting losses. Nevertheless, it was necessary to attempt a bigger offensive with the purpose of forcing the enemy to adopt more onerous methods of protection. “An offensive began on tho night or March. 25, with a brilliant action by shock units, which penetrated Suda Bay.

“Next night, after an air reconnaissance, eight Italian cruisers, escorted by destroyers, left their bases, supported by a battleship. This force on the morning of March 28, in waters south of Candia, exchanged shots with an enemy cruiser, which immediately evaded contact.

“While our warships wore returning from sweeping the. sea, our aeroplanes attacked the ememy with, torpedoes, hitting two cruisers, an aircraft-car-rier, and several merchantmen. “Enemy aeroplanes attacked our fleet on the nfternon of March 28, hitting a cruiser with a. torpedo,, and slowing it down. “A division, including a, cruiser, was encountered in the night, the enemy forces, comprising, according to the British, several battleships. Our units opened fire, the attack being pressed by destroyers right up to the British units. Numerous torpedoes were launched. , Our air force <he next day hit. a cruiser with'a torpedo and an oifrpnftcarrier with • bombs.’’ :