SEVEN BOMBERS DOWN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 182, 16 May 1941, Page 5

SEVEN BOMBERS DOWN

ATTACKS ON BRITISH WARSHIPS.

ARK ROYAL STILL UNDAMAGED

LONDON, May 34.

The unsuccessful attacks by enemy aircraft on British warships in the Mediterranean between May G and 12 cost- them seven bombers, and probably many others.

The action is described in. a dispatch from a special correspondent aboard the aircraft-carrier Ark Royal. The number of direct hits claimed in Berlin and Rome varied between six and 10, but, in actual fact, no ship received the slightest damage, and the claims have given the personnel a good laugh, for this grim, eight hours’ battle ended in a great triumph for the ships. The enemy bombers escorted by fighters, failed, to score even a near miss.

When attacked, the ships wore cruising between. Sicily and Sardinia. Two torpedo attacks were made on the Ark Royal. Towards dusk,' a last desperate torpedo attack Was made, while*' 30 Stuka dive-bombers, escorted by fighters, were cruising in the clouds obviously intending to make an assault together. Suddenly six British fighters dived among them, with machine-guns blazing. Two Stukas crashed in flames into the sea, and two others limped off with smoke, pouring from thorn* engines. Their formation completely broken: up, the remainder unloaded their bombs hurriedly- into the sea and fled.

Only a quick and skilful turn saved the Ark Royal, when two torpedoes were seen coming towards her, but they sped past, one on either side of the ship. In the second attack, all held their breath as" two more torpedoes came towards them, but they passed harmlessly to starboard. The officers of' the Ark Royal have forgotten exactly how many times their ship has been sunk by Berlin and Rome, but she is still intact. ‘ A broadcast from Rome states that the situation in the Mediterranean is rapidly changing in favour of the Axis.