CONVOY ATTACKED IN MEDITERRANEAN

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 13240, 16 January 1941, Page 5

CONVOY ATTACKED IN MEDITERRANEAN

GERMAN DIVE BOMBERS HAND PICKED PILOTS IN DARING ATTACKS UNSUCCESSFUL EFFORTS ITALIAN DESTROYER SUNK London, Jan. 14

Britain's prestige in the Mediterranean was raised to a new height as the result of the defeat of the Luftwaffe’s first attempt to bolster Italy's faltering strength by leading a fierce attack against British naval forces. The attack was the heaviest air raid against the British Mediterranean Fleet since the outbreak of war.

The reckless courage with which it was carried out left no doubt that the pilots had been hand-picked for an obvious attempt to scare the British Fleet from the western Mediterranean.

The British United Press corres-

pondent with the fleet says the Luftwaffe attacked the fleet after British cruisers and destroyers had sunk an Italian destroyer in a spectacular running battle within gunfire of one of Mussolini’s strongholds. One Italian destroyer slipped away in the early morning haze and was not .seen again. The other Italian destroyer, however, was caught in a withering fire from British ships. Two cruisers pumped several salvoes into her, crippling her hopelessly, while a British destroyer raced alongside and finished the job. Presumably all hands were lost, although some might have been able to reach the Italian coast.

This Italian vessel fought courageously and determinedly. Her small guns made a valiant but feeble reply against the heavy British guns.

The battle between dive-bombing planes' and British warships lasted from dawn to dusk. German pilots showed great daring, repeatedly div-/ ing to the attack in the face of a hail of shells.

Rugby, Jan. 14

An Admiralty communique issued to-night gives the facts regarding the recent German-Italian air attacks on British naval units in the Mediterranean which have been the subject for spectacular Italian and German claims. The Admiralty communique states: “Our naval forces have been operating in the central Mediterranean during the period January 7-13, covering the passage of convoys through the Mediterranean on the morning of January 10, when in the Sicilian Channel, two Italian destroyers were encountered. One of these, of the Spica class, was sunk, but the other managed to escape. Later H.M.S. Gallant was damaged by mine or torpedo but arrived in harbour.

“‘German and Italian air forces, working from Italian bases, and including a number of dive bombers, made great efforts against our ships during this operation. The aircraftcarrier, H.M.S. Illustrious, was hit and received some damage and casualties. One of our cruisers, H.M.S. Southampton, was also hit and suffered casualties. Twelve enemy aircraft were shot down and a further number was damaged. “The main object of the operations which was that of passing the convoy from west to east, was carried out according to plan. The convoy carried important material assistance for Greece.”