ATTACK ON CONVOY

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 March 1945, Page 5

ATTACK ON CONVOY

E-BOAT ATTACK FRUSTRATED

RUGBY, March 28.

An Admiralty and Air Ministry report on the defeat of an E-boat attack against a convoy off the British East Coast on the night of March 21, states that the first • contact with the enemy was made by Wellingtons, Beaufighters: and naval -aircraft which sighted several groups of E. boats off the Dutch coast, proceeding in a westerly direction from Texele and the Hook of Holland areas. Individual attacks were carried out by aircraft, one E-boat being set on fire and others damaged by near misses. North-east of Denhelder another group of E-boats was attacked by Beaufighters with rocket projectiles and cannon-fire. Hits were obtained on several E-boats, one of which blew up. A second was set on fire. The aircraft then shadowed the enemy and reported his movements to His Majesty’s ships which were escorting the convoy off the east coast. His Majesty’s ships accordingly took up a position to intercept the Eboats as they approached the convoy route, and shortly afterwards contact was made with the enemy. A series of brisk gun actions ensued during which attacks were carried out by the destroyers, Vivacious, Holderness and Albrighton and the corvette Puffin. Repeated gunfire hits were obtained, on several E-boats, a number of which was severely damaged. All the enemy attempts to break through and attack the convoy failed and the E-boats were finally driven off. No casualties or damage were sustained by the warships of the convoy. One aircraft is missing.