WAR AT SEA

Grey River Argus, 31 March 1943, Page 5

WAR AT SEA

ENjGOUNTER-WITH e.boats PATROL VESSELS'" ENCOUNTERED RUGBY. March 29. An Admiralty communique states that early this morning hg t . b forces intercepted a' number of enenL F boats off the east coast of England. Two motor gun-boats engaged five of the enemy with gunfire and l°b°^" ?na several hits the second boat of the enemy line blew up. Wreckage was thrown aboard one of our ves seis while it proceeded to rain the leading E-boat. The E-boat heeled over to 45 degrees and part ol her stern was seen to break away. Mean while, another gun-boat inflicted senous damage on a fourth boat ot enlmy Hne , Later pur forces succeeded in making a second attack and seriously damaged the last boat of the enemy line. Hits were Mso scored on another group of E-boats but in the darkness it was impossible to observe ’the full results of this actloDurin CT the night destroyers patrolling the same area also scored a number of hits on several E-boats. Oui forces suffered no casualties. Only on? gun-boat suffered sliglit damage. The Admiralty states: “During an offensive sweep in the early hours ot this morning fight coastal forces encountered four enemy, patrol craft off the Dutch coast. In the ensuing action one enemy ship was seen to blow up with a vivid flash, and another enemy ship was severely damaged. Our forces suffered very slight superficial damage and two minor casualties.” SUPPLY SHIP SUNK. RUGBY, March 2b. Fighting French Naval Headquarters Announce that a lighting Frenc i ship destroyed one enemy! aircraft and damaged another while attacks were being B attempted on a convoy o which they were part. Both the air craft were Fockewulf Kuners. The Netherlands Admiralty announces that a Dutch submarine operating with the Royal Navy inthe, Far East sank a Japanese supply ship of 4000 tons. This submarine has seen action in Norwegian wavers in the Mediterranean and m the bar East and has sunk more than 20,000 tons of German, Italian and Japanese shipping including a' German sub--1 marine. admiral doenitz. M LONDON, March 29. According to the Morocco radio _ the Italian fleet is now under the command of Admiral Doenitz.