NAVAL ENCOUNTER OFF DUTCH COAST

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 64, 12 September 1942, Page 7

NAVAL ENCOUNTER OFF DUTCH COAST

NAZIS SUFFER LOSS

(Rec. 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 11. An Admiralty communique tonight tells the story of a spirited ! md successful action by British ight naval forces. v "Early this morning a series oi ictions developed off the Dutch •oast between our light coastal craft and an enemy convoy and covering forces consisting of Eboats, R-boats, armed trawlers, and large flakships," the communique said. 'The actions resulted in one enemy tanker being destroyed, one large flak;hip probably destroyed, and one -irmed trawler and at least six E- or R-boats severely damaged. We lost one motor gunboat and suffered a few casualties." CONTINUED IN DAYLIGHT. The action continued until well afte, daylight and within 25 miles of tht Dutch coast. The series of actions started when one of our offensive patrols intercepted and attacked an enemy convoy off Tex el. In this attack an enemy tanker of medium size was seen to disintegrate after a torpedo hit. A large fiakship, forming part of the escort, also was probably hit by a torpedo. This attack was followed by a brisk action at close range between our light coastal craft and the enemy escort ships. In the course of this action an enemy armed trawler and one R-boat were hit and very severely damaged. Shortly afterwards a patrol of our light coastal craft intercepted four E-boats and severely handled one before they were ?ble to escape. TWO MORE CLASHES. Later, a third patrol met two more E-boats. Again one enemy craft was severely damaged. It appears that these two groups of E-boats joined forces and were reinforced, fot a group of about eight E- or R-boats was intercepted and engaged shortly afterwards by a patrol of our light coastal craft. At least three more enemy vessels received serious damage in the subsequent engagement. It was during this action that one of our motor gunboats was set badly on fire. [ Since there was no chance to save the boat, the lieutenant in charge ran alongside the burning vessel, took off the survivors, and made sure that she would be a total loss and could not fall into enemy hands.

The British light forces were commanded by Lieutenant Dickens, a great-grandson of Charles Dickens. — 8.0. W.