GALLANT FIGHTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20257, 27 May 1940, Page 7

GALLANT FIGHTS

DUTCH FLEET PRAISE BY BRITAIN NAZI POWER WEAKENED COURAGEOUS EXPLOITS GAINS TO ALLIES (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 9 a.m. RUGBY, May 15. The following signal has been made from the First Lord of«the Admiralty, Mr. A. V. Alexander and the First Sea Lord to the commander-in-chief of the Royal Netherlands Navy: “We wish to extend to you and the officers and men of the Royal Netherlands Navy a most hearty welcome to those of your ships now in British harbours. The assistance of your arms will be of great value to the Allies. “We most deeply sympathise with you in having to evacuate your country, but we are convinced that this is only temporary. Many of you have already fought in the most determined manner and have done much to weaken Germany's power. Among the many gallant operations performed by the ships of the Royal Netherlands Navy the following stand out: The action by Torpedo-boat Z 5 and Torpedo motor-boat 51 at Rotterdam when, under heavy fire, they prevented after the initial surprise, further German troops from crossing the river. Again at Rotterdam later on the destroyer Van Galen shelled Waalhaven aerodrome under heavy and continuous aerial bombardment. After repelling 31 dive bombing attacks she was hit and sunk. The survivors, however, did not give up fighting, but joined in the fighting on the shore where they suffered severe losses. The gunboats Friso, Brinio, Gruno and Nassau repelled German attacks across the Zuider Zee and the dyke. They were heavily attacked by enemv aircraft, the Friso .and Nassau being sunk. Fifteen Nazi Planes Down “Practically all the Netherlands vessels were under constant bombardment, but they had the satisfaction of shooting down at least 15 enemy aircraft. “A particularly desperate and gallant exploit was performed by the submarines 023 and 024. These vessels had only just completed building at Rotterdam and, although they had not been “degaussed” and it was known the waterway was full of magnetic mines, their officers were determined to get them out and prevent them falling into German hands. If they were blown up, the object would be achieved and they would have helped to block the fairway. However, by skilful handling, their commanding officers succeeded m lodging the mines and getting them to the open sea whence they proceeded to England. “Thanks to these acts of determination and bravery, a very valuable part ot the Netherlands Navy has been preserved to fight on with the other ’Allied naval forces until the common enemy is defeated. “In less than two week’s warfare the officers and men under your command have demonstrated that - the Royal Netherlands Navy is manned by seamen as brave and expert as those we learned to admire in former days. .