EIGHTEEN ALLIED SHIPS

Grey River Argus, 5 June 1942, Page 5

EIGHTEEN ALLIED SHIPS

SUNK BY JAP. NAVY

In Bay of Bengal

[Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.} WASHINGTON .June 3.

On April 6 last there were eighteen ships belonging to the United Nations sunk by the Japanese Navy in the Bay of Bengal. The United States Navy has announced that seven United Natjons merchantman, including oriq United States ship were shelled and sunk .in the Bay oi Bengal on April 6. Sqven survivors from the United States ship have been landed at Norfolk, Virginia. * .Captiain Regnar Eglund, master oi the American ship, said that the entire group of seven ships was sunk in 40 minutes. Captain Eklund said that the Japanese in all sank eighteen ships in the Bay of Benaal on that day, cleaning out every ship. Captain Eklund said that three Japanese cruisers slipped into the Bav of Bengal on the morning of April 6 and sank 18 merchantmen m one day. The British bombed the enemy warships, setting one on fire. Four of the merchantmen were armed, and three fired their deck guns at the enemy warships, but did not score hits. ’ The Japanese attacked at close range. Captain Eklund said that the Japanese markmanship was poor. His ship was hit at least 15 times, but 50 other shells fell all around. Captain Eklund added that the crew took to the lifeboats and rafts. The ships were about 10 miles from the Indian coast, but it took them until the middle of the afternoon to reach the beach, where 350 survicors from other ships also landed. About 150 perished.