E-BOATS RAID MALTA

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 258, 28 July 1941, Page 7

E-BOATS RAID MALTA

Twelve Sunk In Vain Attack On Harbour PLANES ALSO INTERCEPTED (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received July 27, 7 p.m.) RUGBY, July 26. A communique issued jointly by the Admiralty, War Office and Air Ministry states: “An attack by E-boats was made on the harbour of Valetta at Malta early this morning. It was repulsed with heavy enemy loss. Full details are not yet available, but it is already known that about a dozen attacking E-boats were sunk by the coast defences and aircraft of the Royal Air Force. A number of prisoners and bodies have been recovered.” An R.A.F. (Middle East headquarters) communique states: “A large number of Italian aircraft approached Malta yesterday at a high altitude. R.A.F. fighters intercepted and shot down a Breda 20, which crashed in flames outside the Grand Harbour, a Savoia 79 and three Macchi 200’s. An enemy pilot was rescued from the sea. Another abandoned his aircraft and was killed after his parachute failed to open. “During the engagement Maltese crowds enthusiastically cheered our pilots, all of whom returned with their aircraft undamaged.”

NAVY DOES JOB

Important Middle East Convoy MANY ATTACKS Army Reinforcements Arrive (British Official Wireless.) , (Received July 7, 7 p.m.) RUGBY, July 26. An Admiralty communique states: “It is' now possible to give some account of recent naval operations in the Mediterranean which, under the command of ViceAdmiral Sir James Somerville, resulted in the successful passage of an important convoy through the Central Mediterranean without loss to the convoy. A merchant ship, however, was damaged and the destroyer Fearless was lost, but the object of the operations was successfully achieved, and considerable losses were inflicted on the enemy air forces.

“On the morning of July 22 our ships were sighted by enemy reconnaissance aircraft. That night a Üboat delivered an attack which was not successful, and it is possible that the U-boat was destroyed by a very strong counter-attack to which it was subjected. “On the next morning the first series of air attacks was developed by torpedo-carrying aircraft and highlevel bombers. Of six torpedo-carry-ing aircraft ffiree were shot down by anti-aircraft fire. “H.M.S. Fearless was hit by a torpedo and subsequently had to be sunk by our force. The casualties were not large, but the names have not yet been received. “The high-level bombing attack was completely unsuccessful. Two of the enemy bombers were shot down by naval aircraft and two others were probably destroyed. Three of opr aircraft were lost in this engagement, but the crews were all saved. Night Search Fails. “During the afternoon a further air attack by bombers and torpedo-carry-ing aircraft was developed, and these were abortive. Two S79’s were shot down by our fighters and a Cant, was damaged. “In the evening our ships and the convoy were again unsuccessfully attacked by bombers and torpedo-canj-iug aircraft. At this critical period the convoy was close to the enemy base, but jt eluded the enemy air forces by determination and skilful

handling. Enemy aircraft were seen to be searching unsuccessfully with the aid of a. large number of flares. “Early on July 24 the convoy and escort were attacked toy E-boats. During' this attack a ship of the convoy received damage, but was able to continue under her own power. One E-tooat was certainly sunk and another was probably damaged. “Three separate air attacks were then developed on the convoy and escort between 6.30 and 10 a.m. These were carried out by German dive-bombers, and at the same time the ships were being subjected to high-level bombing. None of our ships were hit, aud one German dive-bomber was shot down by anti-aircraft fire. Enemy air attacks also developed against the Fleet, but no damage or casualties was suffered by our ships. Shortly before the development of the most serious of these last air attacks two Cants, were shot flown by our fighters.

Two Warships Damaged. ' “The main attack was delivered by torpedo-carrying aircraft and high-level bombers. It was intercepted and broken up toy our fighters, and two S79’s were shot down and one was damaged. Three of our naval aircraft were lost, but the crew of one was saved. During these operations one of our cruisers and a destroyer suffered damage, and there was a small number of casualties in both ships. “Apart from the one attack by Eboats in which one was sunk and another probably damaged, no attempt was made by enemy surface forces to interfere, though our important convoy had of necessity to be for some time in close proximity to the enemy’s main bases. The enemy air forces were unable to prevent the difficult operations being brought to a successful conclusion, and the long series, of heavy air attacks resulted in the destruction of a minimum of 12 enemy aircraft with at least four others being damaged and probably destroyed.”

NATION’S THANKS

(British Official Wireless.) (Received July 27, 7 p.m.( RUGBY, July 26. “I thank you on behalf of the Admiralty. The whole nation thanks you. Good night and God speed!” These words concluded a message of congratulation which was broadcast by the First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. Alexander, to Vice-Admiral iSomerville ana all the personnel in the convoy and escort which, with the. loss of H.M.b. Fearless, have successfully passed through the Mediterranean.. “The safe and timely arrival of the convoy you knew meant reinforcements for our forces in the Mediterranean theatre in ships, fresh troops, munitions and stores,” Mr. Alexander said. . Though one of the convoyed ships was hit she carried on and all the convoy secured a safe and timely arrival which has meant so much to those whom we are reinforcing.”