DESTROYERS’ BATTLE

Grey River Argus, 2 May 1944, Page 5

DESTROYERS’ BATTLE

CANADIANS AND GERMANS

One Loss Each

[Aus. & N.Z. Press LONDON, April 30

An Admiralty communique says: Two Tribal class destroyers of the Canadian Navy encountered two enemy destroyers of the Elbing class in an offensive sweep off the French coast north-east of Ushant on Saturday. In an action which took the Canadian destroyers into enemy waters one enemy destroyer was driven ashore and left burning. The other escaped under cover of darkness. One Canadian destroyer was torpedoed and sank. Some survivors were pick-, ed up. Others are prisoners of? war. The enemy force was engaged by the destroyers “Haida” and “Athabaskan.” A gun action ensued to within close distance of enemy-occupied territory. Repeated hits were obtained on one enemy destroyer. The “Athabaskan” was torpedoed and sank a number of survivors were picked up by the “Haida.” t, Boats and rafts were dropped by the “Haida” before leaving the area. There were no casualties in the “Haida." . . '■'The “Athabaskan” sank within a few minutes of being hit, states an observer who was aboard the accompanying destroyer “Haida.” The latter quickly took? vengeance by driving one enemy ship ashore in a blaze of gunfire, which set fire to the German destroyer. The “Haida” picked up 40 survivors within an hour. It is reported that 85 survivors were made prisoner. Six others were landed at a south coast port by the “Haida’s” motor boat, which came all the way across the Channel after’ evading the enemy. , , . As soon as the Canadian destroyers opened fire the enemy made smoke and fled, firing as they went. The “Athabaskan” received a hit forward. but disregarding this steamed on, maintaining fire until another shell crashed into her near the after canopy, after which she slowed down. An enemy torpedo a few minutes later smashed into the stern, which was almost severed from the ship. The “Haida” laid a smoke screen to protect the damaged ship and continued the battle. Hits were observed on both enemv ships, a small fire breaking out on the leading one and a larger fire on the second. The “Haida” concentrated against the near target and smashed her with salvo after salvo, until ths enemy went ashore out of control