LATE MESSAGES

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 February 1942, Page 6

LATE MESSAGES

BRITISH SUBMARINE SUCCESSES

RUGBY, February 15. An Admiralty communique states: Submarines of the Mediterranean Fleet continue to inflict loss upon tne enemy. One large and one mediumsized supply-ship have been definitely sunk. Another medium-sized supplyship has been torpedoed, and it is probable that this ship also sank. One of our submarines reported having fought a spirited gun action with an enemy armed trawler. The armed trawler was hit. by at least 15 shells, and the crew were abandoning the ship when our submarine was forced to dive by the fire of enemy shore batteries.

A SECOND JUTLAND?

WASHINGTON, February 15

The United Press says: Naval experts believe that a second Brittle of Jutland —this time involving Uniffiu States fleet forces—will be fought .m the Atlantic, to prevent Germany's reinforced navy from slicing the lifeline of weapons, supplies, mid men from the United States. It is said that a show-down between the Nazi and Allied fleets may come this Spring, coincident with the launching of an all-out German offensive aimed at winning the war in 1942, before United States production turns the tide. The new threat in the Atlantic is believed to have been studied in detail by Mr. Roosevelt and the members of the United States Supreme Command, at a White House conference on Saturday.

N.Z. AIRMEN HONOURED

WELLINGTON, February 16

Pilot Officer Newenham, whose award of the D.F.C. was cabled yesterday, was born at Nelson in 1914, and educated at Nelson College. He is the son of Mr. W. E. Newenham, of Nelson.

The D.F.C. has also been awarded to another member of the R.N.Z.A.F., Pilot Officer Maechal Anthony Ensor, the son of Mr. Hugh Ensor, of Rangiora. Pilot Officer Ensor was born at Rangiora in 1922, and was educated at St. Andrew’s College, Christchurch. The citation accompanying his award states: One night in January he was the pilot of an aircraft engaged in an operational sortie over enemy waters. A convoy of three ships was observed sailing through ice floes. Ensor attacked the leading ship from mast-height, and scored direct hits with some of his bombs. Whilst taking violent evasive action at an extremely low altitude, the aircraft struck a rock, which disabled the starboard engine, rendered all the instruments and the turret unserviceable, and extinguished the lights. Anus handicapped, Ensor skilfully regained height in a heavy snowstorm, but later, whilst flying overland and uncertain of his bearings, his aircraft was subject to anti-aircraft lire and searchlight activity for some 30 minutes. Eventually the position was identified, and, ably assisted by his observer’s excellent navigation, Ensor flew across the sea, with only one engine functioning. On reaching Britain, he was compelled to attempt a forced landing, owing to shortage of petrol, and although it was snowing heavily, a safe landing was made with the assistance of the observer, who fired Verey lights in quick succession, in an endeavour to illuminate the surroundings. The landing was effected without further damage to the aircraft or injury to the crew. Throughout, this officer showed great courage, tenacity, and skill, and was greatly assisted by the coolness and efficiency of his observer. "INDIA WILL FIGHT NAZIS” (Rec. 11.55) BOMBAY, Feb. 15. Mr. Gandhi, in an article in “Harijan,” says: “If the Nazis come to India, Congress will give them the same fight as it has given Britain.” Mr. Gandhi is of opinion that the war will result in the mutual exhaustion of the warring nations, and from the holocaust must arise a new order, for which the' exploited millions of toilers have so long thirsted.

An Official Wireless message stated that the King has conferred on Marshal Chiang Kai-shek the insignia of an Honorary Knight of the Grand Cross of the most Honourable Order of the Bath, Military Division, in recognition of his outstanding achievements for the Allied cause.