VITAL HITS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20305, 22 July 1940, Page 7

VITAL HITS

SYDNEY’S SHELLS ITALIAN CRUISER OFFICIAL STORY TOLD RESCUE OF SAILORS UNCEASING BOMBING ROMAN TALE REFUTED (Klee. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. July 22. 9 a.m.) LONDON. July 20. A further summarised story o£ the exploit of H.M.A.S. Sydney in sinking the Italian cruiser Bartolomeo Colleoni off Crete on Friday is contained in an official communique from the Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean issued in Cairo.

“Our patrols in the Aegean, consisting of H.M.A.S. Sydney and some destroyers.” said the communique, “made contact with two enemy cruisers of the Colleoni class northward from Crete at about 7.30 a.m. on Friday. Our destroyers first sighted the enemy, H.M.A.S. Sydney arriving about an hour later. The enemy altered course to the south-west and endeavoured to escape. Our forces made a determined attack and accurate fire from H.M.A.S. Sydney scored vital hits on the Bartolomeo Colleoni. which reduced speed, enabling the destroyers to complete her destruction. “The second cruiser was chased anc; hits were observed, but her superior speed saved her from a similar fate. Our forces rescued 545 men from the Bartolomeo Colleoni, including the captain. “The Italian air force bombed our ships while they were carrying out the humane work of rescuing their men, repeating the bombing a number of times on the return journey. There were no casualties in the British ships.” Ships at Alexandria H.M.A.S. Sydney arrived at Alexandria to-day accompanied by three destroyers, the latter bringing the Italian survivors of the Bartholomeo Colleoni. The crews of the British and French warships lying at anchor sent a thunderclap of cheering across the water. H.M.A.S. Sydney followed the destroyers, her band playing “God Save the King,” Her appearance was the signal for fresh cheering, which swept round the fleet for several minutes. H.M.A.S. Sydney’s crew waved their caps in acknowledgment. It was a big day for Alexandria, for the population turned out en masse to celebrate the feat of H.M.A.S. Sydney. Thousands of Egyptians clapped their hands and cheered with the British soldiers crowding the quays.

The Italians appeared listless and nervous on landing on the hot bricks of the Alexandria quay. The majority gave the Fascist salute as they went ashore and murmured “thank you” in broken English to their rescuers. Some said that the daily rations aboard the ship had been steadily reduced and the food problem in Italy was becoming more difficult every week. Hit-and-Run Tactics Officers of H.M.A.S. Sydney on arrival at Alexandria described the Italian’s hit-and-run tactics and the risks the British officers and seamen took in order to save the lives of the Italian sailors. "We sighted two Italian cruisers and immediately opened fire,” said one of the officers of H.M.A.S. Sydney. “One cruiser made off. but the Bartolomeo Colleoni stayed long enough to answer. She fired sporadically, but hit nothing, and then continued the attempt to escape, relying on her superior speed, but we were too close to let him succeed.” Another officer aboard H.M.A.S. Sydney said: “One of our shells hit the cruiser’s boiler room. We continued shelling and then launched two torpedoes. “One hit squarely amidships and started the Italian cruiser on her way to the bottom. The other struck the magazine and the ammunition began shooting up like a Guy Fawkes' display. That was the end. Rescue Boats Bombed “The Italian commander ordered the crew to abandon ship. We immediately started to rescue the survivors. Every Italian aboard leaped into the water and while our destroyers were busy picking up about 500. Italian bombers arrived and loosed everything they had. Bombs dropped all round the ships and fell into the water near the struggling Italians, but we carried on. The bombing continued all day until nightfall.” An Italian communique issued in Rome states: “Surrounding the island of Candia a battle raged for three hours yesterday at dawn between the Italian light cruisers Giovanni Dellc Lande Ncre and Bartolomeo Colleoni, 5000 tons each, against British units, two cruisers of 7000 tons each of the H.M.A.S. Sydney type and four destroyers. Notwithstanding the great superiority of enemy forces, our cruisers engaged in battle, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. The Bartolomeo Colleoni was hit in a vital spot and sank fighting fiercely. The majority of the crew are believed to have been saved. Italian bombing units reached the enemy naval forces and repeatedly bombed them, scoring various hits on the cruisers. One enemy ship sank in flames. All our planes returned to their bases.” It is authoritatively stated in London that the Italian official communique's claim that two cruisers of the Sydney class were engaged in the battle is false. Only H.M.A.S. Sydney was present with the destroyers. As far as it is known, lI.M:A.S. Sydney was not hit by bombs. The Italian claim that a British ship was sunk in flames also is untrue. A report from Istanbul says that the news of the sinking of the Italian cruiser Bartolomeo Colleoni created a deep impression in Turkey, which always has been ready to welcome such successes of the British Empire.