CRUISER’S ORDEAL

Grey River Argus, 25 May 1942, Page 5

CRUISER’S ORDEAL

Terrific Bombing at

Malta

CREW'S TIRELESS EFFORTS.

[British Official Wireless]

(Rec. 6.30) RUGBY, May 23. The Admiralty has released details of the magnificent way in which the cruiser Penlope fought throughout a protracted ordeal in the Mediterranean, and was saved by the 'tireless devotion of her crew. For two weeks, while the cruiser lay at Malta, there were almost continuous air raids, and it soon became clear that the Penlope was Ithe central target of these attacks —some of the heaviest to which the island has been subjected. The Penlope’s guns were in action for a great part of every day, and at the height of some of the fiercest raids, all hands, including stewards and books, helped to feed the guns. The ship was holed repeatedly with bomb splinters, and much superficial damage was done, but the crew worked unceasingly to keep the guns in acltjcM, and the jship’fs staff toiled day and night carrying out repairs. The more serious holes were plugged and, in spite of the worst the enemy could do the ship got ready for sea almost to schedule. Throughout the following day the Penlope was shadowed by two floatplanes, and, during the morning Junkers 88 and four Italian torpedo-bombers, attacked. She was ready for them, and the attacked failed.

A further attack by four Italian bombers was also successfully fought off. At midday a single enemy plane dropped two bombs without damage. A few minutes later six torpedobombers delivered an accurate torpedo attack, but the 'Penlope, superbly handled, was able to take evading action, despite her damaged condition, and was not hit. Fourteen Junkers 88 next attacked but only one bomb fell near, and no harm was done except to some instruments which were shaken.

The final attack was made by a single Junkers 88, but this again failed. By this time the Penlope was almost out of danger. Short of anti-aircraft ammunition, and with her sides full of plugged splinter holes she reached port safely, having suffered neither casualties nor damage during her arduous passage.