AXIS SHIPPING SUNK

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24051, 13 September 1943, Page 3

AXIS SHIPPING SUNK

SUBMARINES ATTACK IN ADRIATIC (8.0. W.) RUGBY, Sept. 10. “During the concluding stages of the Mediterranean operations against Italy,” says an Admiralty communique, “His Majesty’s submarines destroyed a number of vessels and damaged others. Most of these successful operations were carried out in the southern Adriatic. , “In the Straits of Taranto a submarine torpedoed a large supply ship, which subsequently sank. A mediumsized supply ship. 1 was torpedoed and sunk en route to Valona. North of Brindisi, two torpedo hits were scored on a large tanker proceeding under the escort of a destroyer and two corvettes. The tanker was later seen beached. “In the same area a large transport was attacked and damaged while forming up in convoy, four explosions being heard. Near Bari a medium-sized supply ship was torpedoed and sunk, a number of survivors being rescued from a raft In an attack on a large supply ship in the same area a torpedo hit was observed abreast the mainmast “Reconnaissance near Point Alice, in the Gulf of Taranto, revealed that work was proceeding on a stranded destroyer of the Partenope : class. A torpedo hit caused the whole after part of the ship to break off and sink.

“Shipping off the west coast of Italy was also harassed by our submarines. Near the island of Monte Cristo an armed supply veSsel of medium size was intercepted and sunk. Near this area another supply vessel was hit by three torpedoes and was destroyed. “In the northern Aegean a mediumsized supply ship, proceeding in a strongly, escorted convoy, was tor-pedoed-and sunk. -“Further successes include the sinking of three small .naval auxiliary craft and four other small vessels.”

FEDERAL ELECTION IN AUSTRALIA

PROGRESS OF COUNTING (Rec.7.p.m.) *■ SYDNEY,. Sept 12. Although-the final Results of the Federal' elections will mot be known until the distribution of the preferences is completed the strength 1 of the parties in the new parliament is likely to be: Labour 52, United Australia Party 12, Country Party eight, Independents two. The opposition leaders, the Hon. A. W. Fadden -and the Rt Hon. Sir Earle Page, retained seats on the distribution of the preferences after they had been strongly challenged by the Labour candidates. The. figures for .North Sydney have not been completed, but. the DeputyLeader of the Opposition, the Rt. Hon. W. M. Hughes, is expected to hold the seat bya comfortable majority. In the Reid electorate, Sydney, the sitting official Labour candidate, Mr C. A. Morgan, decisively defeated the former State Premier, Mr J, T. Lang, who will now contest the Auburn seat at the next State election. He resigned as member for Auburn to stand for the Reid seat .. After leading by 750(f votes on the primaries, the Labour candidate, Mrs was beaten in Wentworth by the fitting United Australia Party member, Chptain E. J. Harrison. . The preferencesVfpmed the tables. In Tasmania, Dame Enid Lyons, wife of the former Prime Minister, is having a close contest with the Labour candidate. '

; The distribution .of preferences should be completed by the middle of next week. The Senatenount should be completed by, the end: of next week. Labour is assured of a comfortable majority. ..