NAVY BOMBARDS RHODES

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23718, 17 August 1942, Page 5

NAVY BOMBARDS RHODES

SURPRISE ATTACK ON ITALIAN BASE WATERFRONT SHELLED (Received August 17, 12.45 a.m.) (N.Z.P.A.) LONDON, August 16. A British naval squadron under the command of Rear-Admiral P. Vian, has bombarded Rhodes, the chief Italian base in the Dodecanese. The attack was carried out early on Thursday morning and lasted 12 minutes. It took the Italians completely by surprise. As the warships sailed away fires could be seen burning along the waterfront of the town of Rhodes. Reuter’s correspondent with the squadron says; "The timing of the actioh and the air and sea co-operation were perfect. The whole operation had the Vian touch. Aeroplanes spotted for the warships and dropped flares, “Several salvoes hit the town before the shore batteries replied. Several shells from the batteries passed over the warships uncomfortably low and some salvoes burst close, but the squadron suffered no losses. “The first sign of life from Rhodes came at 11 p.m., as the squadron was steaming along the coast. Streams of tracer bullets shot up as the Italian anti-aircraft batteries vainly sought the British aeroplanes. The worst moment came half-an-hour before the warships were off the town of Rhodes. Two searchlights suddenly flicked on and dipped across the sea. They seemed to pause when they; fell on the warships, and then, inexplicably, they swung up again. “The squadron began shelling at 1.10 a.m. The waterfront buildings and a large ship stood out clearly. After pounding the town the warships silently raced away. Reconnaissance aeroplanes trailed the squadron on Friday, but it was not attacked."