NAVAL BATTLE

Grey River Argus, 16 January 1941, Page 5

NAVAL BATTLE

IN MEDITERRANEAN Italian Vessel Sunk THREE BRITISH SHIPS DAMAGED. ENEMY LOSES 12 PLANES. GERMAN AIRMEN ENGAGED. [British Official Wireless! RUGBY, January 14. An Admiralty communique issued to-night, gives the facts regarding the recent German-Italian air attacks on British naval units in the Mediterranean last week. The Admiralty communique says: Our naval forces had been operating in the central Mediterranean during the period January 7 to 13, covering the passage of convoys through the Mediterranean. On the morning of January 10, when in the Sicilian Channel, two Italian destroyers were encountered. One of these, of the Scipa class, was sunk, but the other managed to escape. Later H.M.S. Gallant was damaged by a mine or torpedo, but arrived in harbour. German-Italian air forces, working from Italian bases, and including a number of dive-bombers. made great efforts against our ships during these operations. H.M.S. Illustrious was hit and received some damage and casualties. One of our cruisers, H.M.S. Southampton, was also hit, and suffered casualties. Twelve enemy aircraft were shot down, and a further number damaged. The main object of the operations, which was that of passing a convoy from west to east, was carried out according to plan. The convoy carried important material assistance for Greece. The enemy's attacks have been the subject of spectacular Italian-German claims. Britain’s prestige in the Mediterranean has been raised to a new height, as thq result of the defeat of this first Luftwaffe attempt to bolster Italy’s faltering strength, by leading a fierce attack against the British naval forces. The attack was the heaviest air raid against the British Mediterranean Fleet, since the outbreak. The reckless courage wherewith it was carried out left no doubt that the pilots had been handpicked for an obvious attempt to scare the British Fleet from the western Mediterranean. The British United Press correspondent with the Fleet says: “The Luftwaffe attacked the Fleet after the British, cruisers and destroyers had sunk the Italian destroyer, in a spectacular running battle, within gunfire of one of Mussolini’s strongholds. The other Italian destroyer slipped away in the early _ morning haze, and was not seen again. The Italian destroyer sunk was caught in a withering fire from our ships. Two cruisers pumped several salvoes into her. crippling her hopelessly, while a British destroyer raced alongside and finished the job. Presumably all hands were lost, although some might be able.to reach the Italian coast This Italian vessel fought courageously and determinedly. Its small guns made a valiant but feeble reply against the heavy British guns.

A battle between enemy divebombing planes and the British warships lasted from dawn to dusk. The German pilots showed great daring, repeatedly diving to attack in the face of a hail of shells.