WARFARE AT SEA

Hokitika Guardian, 12 July 1940, Page 5

WARFARE AT SEA

ITALIAN LOSS

TROOPSHIP SINKS.

(United Ifi-ess Association —By Electric

Telegraph—Copyright)

(Received this day at 11.15 a.m.). ROME, July 11

It is officially announced that a fire, broke out, sinking the troopship “Paganini,” of 2427 tons, carrying 920 troops, off Albania. The casualties total 220 Italian and Albanian officers. WARSHIPS AT MARTINIQUE, WASHINGTON, July 11. It is reported that the French aircraft carrier “Bearn,” may leave Martinique and become interned at New Orleans. Meanwhile it is reliably reported that there are concentric circles of warships around Martinique. First there * are French warships within the three mile limit. Secondly there is a circle of British warships outside the three-mile limit. Tile third circle is that of United States warships, which are outside observing the others. All the warships are awaiting a decision from the French Government at Vichy, regarding the disposition of the French units. SCUTTLED ITALIAN SHIP. VATICAN CITY, July 10. Regarding the Italian motor vessel “Romolo,” which was scuttled off the Queensland Great Barrier Reefs, when being pursued by an Australian warship, the Vatican City paper, “Osservatore Romano” • gives front page prominence to the fact that the Apostolic Nuneiture at Sydney has informed the Holy See that all of the passengers and crew of the “Romolo” are safe. There has been no explanation nor details as to wliat had happened, the “Romolo.”

DEMILITARISED AT ALEXANDRIA

LONDON, July 10

Dispatches from Cairo discuss the disarmament of the French naval forces at, Alexandria, A difficult problem had been neatly settled, it was stated. A tribute was paid to the French officers and "men, whose restraint had made Britain’s job easier.’ It would have been disastrous for the French vessels to leave harbour and face a vastly superior British force. In any case, some of the French sailors had, . intimated that they would pot fight, and if ordered to do so, would jump overboard and swim ashore. DISABLING THE RICHELIEU. LONDON, July 10. The Richelieu incident must be regarded as one of the most brilliant exploits of the war, ranking with the Altmarck affair and the River Plate Battle. The hero of the Dakar incident, Lieutenant-Commander R. H. Ristow, was a London stockbroker before the war. “He is of the real bulldog breed, and a man of great courage,” said a friend of his. “He did just what might he expected of him.” In the House of Lords, Lord Snell paid a tribute to the courage of the British seamen. He was followed by Lord Addison, who said that as a result -of these actions, Britain could confidently look forward to the time when similar action could be extended to the vessels of the Italian Fleet-, now diligently skulking in their ports. DAMAGES TO BE PAID. STOCKHOLM, July 10. A Swedish communique states: Four Swedish destroyers, purchased from Italy, have entered Swedish waters, after being seized and damaged by a strong British naval force on -Tune 20th off the Faroes Islands. British piano* on July Bth attacked, but, did not damage, the same destroyers. off the Norwegian coast. Britain has agreed to pay damages, and has expressed regret for the mistake.

LONDON. July 11

ft is authoritatively stated that British naval forces intercepted Italian built destroyers belonging to Sweden because it was feared that they might fall into German hands; hut that, after receiving assurances from tile Swedish Government ti-o* destroyers were allowed to proceed Two developed defects, owing to faulty construction, while mi route to a British port in heavy weather. The R.A.F. being unaware of the circumstances, subsequently dropped bombs near the destroyers, but no damage was done. His Majesty’s Government had expressed its regret for this mistake.