U-BOATS SUNK

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 June 1944, Page 6

U-BOATS SUNK

ATTACK ON CONVOY ’RUGBY, June 24. “Three of a strong force of Üboats which attempted to attack a valuable convoy on its way to North Russia were sunk by the combined action of His Majesty's ships and naval aircraft,” says the Admiralty. “Several other U-boats weie damaged In addition, six enemy aircraft which attempted to shadow the convoy and direct the U-boats to attack _ weie shot down by naval fighter aircraft. These engagements took place within the Arctic Circle in April and in weather of extreme severity, ror reasons of security it has not been desirable to disclose details until now. The convoy proceeded to its destination without loss or damage. The only loss suffered by His Majesty’s forces was one Wildcat aircraft forced down on the sea by gunfire from a U-boat. The Dilot was picked up by one of His Majesty’s escort ships.” Warships participating were the cruiser Diadem, the escort carriers Activity and Tracker, the destroyer Keppel, and the sloops Starling and Magpie. Operations were under the command of Vice-Admiral F. H. G. Dal-rymple-Hamilton, flying his flag in the cruiser Diadem.

Ships of the second escort group, under the command of Captain F. J. Walker, in the sloop Starling, first made contact with the enemy. The Starling and the Magpie made a series of depth charge attacks against a suspected U-boat. Deep underwater explosions were heard, after which oil and much other evidence of destruction came to the surface.

The destroyer Keppel later detected another U-boat, which it destroyed with depth charges. A Swordfish aeroplane from the carrier Activity then sighted a U-boat surfacing about six miles from the convoy. The Swordfish reported the Üboat and attacked. One Avenger and one Wildcat from the carrier Tracker assisted in the destruction of the Üboat, which sank after engaging the Swordfish with gunfire. Operations of escort naval seaplanes prevented U-boats attacking the convey. SUBMARINE’S TOLL. LONDON, June 25. During a recent patrol of northern waters, a Norwegian submarine, the Ula, without loss, sank a 2000ton supply ship, probably sank a 2500-toh vessel, and damaged an 8000-ton supply ship, which were part of a heavily’- escorted convoy intercepted off West Norway.