TANKER TORPEDOED

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 99, 21 January 1942, Page 7

TANKER TORPEDOED

Successful Attack By Naval Aircraft (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, January 19. An R.A.F. Middle East communique states that a highly-successful attack on a large enemy tanker was carried out by naval aircraft in the Central Mediterranean on Saturday night. . In spite of a gale and heavy rain, hits with torpedoes were obtained on the tanker and on one of two escorting destroyers. Botli vessels came to a standstill. Further details of the attack were given by one of the pilots who. took part in the operation. “Immediately the enemy heard our engines,” he said, “one of the destroyers sheered off, while the other tried to lay a smoke screen. This proved ineffective, though we dropped flares just to make certain of getting the tanker. We then attacked and a torpedo hit the tanker, which appeared to be fully loaded. There was a terrific explosion, followed by vivid orange flashes. A few seconds later there was another explosion, which came from a destroyer As we left for home there was a gl' w from the destroyer, which was stopped, as was the tanker.” This is the second ship these aircraft have torpedoed during the last few days. Two nights previously they attacked a supply ship which was escorted by destroyers. The ship was probably hit by torpedoes. After the attack it was seen to have stopped and there was a column of black smoke coining from it. In December naval aircraft torpedoed n medium-sized tanker and a medium-sized supply ship on the way to Tripoli.