THE “PRINZ EUGEN”

Grey River Argus, 23 May 1942, Page 5

THE “PRINZ EUGEN”

RECENT TORPEDOING.

8.0.W. RUGBY, May 20. ' More than 50 British aircraft took part in the' attack on the German 10,000-ton cruiser, Prinz Eugen, off the coast of Norway on Sunday. From a tactical point of view bombing was not) considered fully suitable, and the. opening of the attack by. bombers must therefore be considered as a diversion. It. was met by strong flak and fighter deience, and was achieved at some loss.

A torpedo-bomber attack was then pressed home in two successive waves. The first wave met fighters in great strength over the target and lost five aircraft. Nearly every pilot found one or two fighters on his tail when he got in. The second wave was set upon by the enemy, who was fully prepared, and was broken up before it could get to close range. Four aircraft were lost. ■Nevertheless, there is no doubt that the Prinz Eugen was damaged, and the latest accounts of the action do not alter the belief that torpedoes scored two direct'hits. The whereabouts of the Prinz Eugen are not yet known.