BOMBARDMENT OF GENOA

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 120, 14 February 1941, Page 8

BOMBARDMENT OF GENOA

Eyewitness’s Narrative

INEFFECTIVE REPLY BY ENEMY (By Telegraph — Press A-»-ii < opyrignt.* LONDON, February 12. Further details of the bombardment of Genoa are supplied by a correspondent who was on board the battleship Malaya. "Only a handful of jieople knew of Admiral .Somerville's intentions while we were steaming at full speed all night, till 0 a.m.. when the well-kept secret was revealed that we were going to bombard Genoa,” he said. “A thick white mist blanketed the Italian coast as the aeroplanes were calapalilted from 11. M.S. Sheffield and Ark Royal to act as spotters. There was still no sign of the shore.

"Our presence had been detected as zero hour approached. The Renown turned into position, and we and the Sheffield turned with her. A few minutes before the bombardment opened we sighted from the shore white and green lights which flickered out the challenge; ‘Who are you?’ “In reply a great spurt of red Hume shot from the Renown's side as the first salvo of loin, shells screamed toward the distant targets. The guns of the Sheffield anil the Malaya then opened up. There was an almost continuous blast of flame from the Sheffield’s side as her 12 Gin. guns poured shell after shell into the Ansaldo electrical and boiler works. The Renown and the Malaya were concentrating on objectives in the inner harbour, including the power station. “We were then steaming parallel with the coast. High above the targets, our spotters, dodging a vicious hail of anti-airerafr lire, were constantly signalling directions to Ihe guns. "For 15 minutes the Italian batteries failed to reply. Then came a red flash from the shore and a white column of water shot up 1000 yards short of the bombarding ships. “Altogether, the Italian reply consisted of about 20 shells, mostly of small calibre, and none of them fell nearer than 500 yards. "The spotters joyfully signalled the success of the bombardment as they swooped past, the observers leaning out and waving their hands above their heads. "Just as we were turning away Italian bombers appeared, but they met a terrific barrage and two of them were quickly shot down. Only three bombs were dropped, all of which exploded in the sea half a mile behind the Ark Royal. Our only casualty was a Swordfish bomber which failed to return."