CONVOY TO RUSSIA

Evening Star, Issue 24429, 15 February 1943, Page 3

CONVOY TO RUSSIA

ATTACKED FOR A WEEK VALUABLE CARGO DELIVERED (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, February 13. A graphic account of how a convoy fought its way to Russiaj despite submarine and air attacks, is told' by an officer of one of the merchant- ships. " The first few days," he said, "were boisterous, with strong winds and heavy seas. Then we sighted the first sigu of ice and snow, and as we progressed we heard the rumbling crash of depth charges. The undersea pirates had smelt us out, and our escort was taking the necessary counter-measures. " During the next few days our escort did a good job, and no merchant•men were hit," he continued. " Sunday brought large-scale submarine and air attacks. The first air onslaught was made by some 40 Heinkel 111 torpedo -bombers. Our surface escort opened with a heavy barrage, and Hurricanes laced into the enemy formations. Torpedoes were dropped, however, and ships were struck, explosions mixing with gunfire. The surviving Heinkels swept on to attack the inner columns, and when all the torpedoes' were gone they turned away and made off, the Hurricanes striking fast whenever'the opportunity offered. "Through all this hell of fire the convoy carried on, and some 13 enemy aircraft were definitely destroyed," he said. "For a whole week the attacks continued, but Saturday saw us in the White Sea, and although the attacks were continuing on Sunday, Russian fighters had appeared, and we saw nothing further of the Nazi planes. Then we took our pilots aboard and proceeded towards port. The convoy had suffered losses, hut we had exacted a high toll from the enemy and had brought a very valuable war cargo to [Russia."