MANY SHIPS SUNK

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 54, 5 March 1943, Page 3

MANY SHIPS SUNK

AXIS SUPPLY LINES

British Submarine Successes In Mediterranean British Official Wireless Rec. 1.30 p.m. RUGBY, March 4. "One of His Majesty's submarines reports that when she surfaced in the. Gulf of Genoa, near the Italian coast, she opened fire on a shipbuilding yard and scored several hits on two vessels on the stocks," the Admiralty announces. "Another submarine, operating close inshore, shelled a train on a bridge. "In addition to these two successful actions, submarines operating against the Axis supply lines in the Mediterranean destroyed seven or more enemy vessels. These included a large supply ship and a ship of medium size, two more supply ships, a minesweeper and two tugs. Submarines also damaged nine other enemy vessels, among which were a large tanker and a large supply ship. ' .

"Off the Italian Riviera a submarine scored two torpedo hits on a large supply ship, which later ran ashore and became a total loss. In the same area a large tanker, escorted by an armed yacht, was torpedoed. Counter-measures by the enemy made it impossible to observe the full result of this attack.

"The same submarine also sank two tugs by gunfire.

"Off Southern Italy a submarine torpedoed and sank a small supply ship being towed by a tug. During a gun action, another submarine was engaged by Italian shore batteries without effect. The submarine scored many hits on the target. Later the submarine engaged a minesweeper, shelling her until she sank. i The submarine also scored hits on a small naval auxiliary vessel. The submarine ended this action.

"In the same area a submarine scored a torpedo hit on a large supply ship which formed part of a convoy escorted by two destroyers. In the Gulf of Hammamet, Tunisia, a supply ship of medium a small supply ship were sunk.