Indescribable Storm and Fury

Northern Advocate, 28 May 1941, Page 5

Indescribable Storm and Fury

British Cruisers 9 Ordeal With Bombers (Received 2 p.m.) LONDON, May 27. THE COMMANDER OF ONE OF THE BRITISH CRUISERS, 1 REFERRING TO THE TERRIFIC NAZI AIR ATTACKS IN THE AEGEAN, SAID: “WE CHANGED COURSE CONSTANTLY, SPEEDING AT OVER 30 KNOTS. “This was probably the heaviest attack by bombers ever meted out to a single ship, but other planes were swooping on every ship in sight. “They just never ceased until nightfall. “We, and every other ship, were firing everything we had, sending up thousands of pom-pom 6-inch and 4-inch shells. “The storm and fury reached indescribable heights soon after noon, when the Battle Fleet, including the Warspite linked up with cruisers and destroyers in Kythera Straits to provide greater anti-aircraft protection. “Junkers had dogged the British Fleet throughout the morning, but after a brief interval the noon sky teemed with bombers. “The land was visible on both sides, and the bombers’ bases were only a few miles distant.

Enemy Convoy Smashed “At the height of the onslaught, we sighted a vanguard of 30 sailing vessels with an Italian destroyer leader. “Six six-inch shells straddled the convoy, and probably hit the destroyer, which made off at top speed, and sank four caiques, each carrying at least 100 soldiers. Our firing disorganised the whole convoy, which immediately turned north. “After picking up two damaged cruisers, the Battle Fleet started back through the straits. There was no wind, the weather was particularly favourable to bombers, and clouds provided them with good cover. » “The attack reached a new intensity at 1.30 p.m., after the Greyhound had sunk a German caique.

100 Bombers’ Mass Attack “Over 100 bombers made a mass attack on her, scoring several direct hits. Then a heavy bomb struck her aft, causing a terrific explosion. “She buckled amidships, and great clouds of smoke poured from the hull. “Two destroyers went to pick up the survivors. They were legitimate targets, but the Germans first concentrated on the sailors struggling in the water, dropping scores of bombs among them, and coming down low to machine-gun them.

Hair-raising Speed

“At this stage, every ship of the Battle Fleet was being attacked by at least 10 planes. “Diving at 400 m.p.h., three Messerschmitt fighter-bombers suddenly dropped out of the sky on a battleship, unloaded their bombs, and zoomed off at hair-raising speed. “A bomb crashed on a battleship’s side, causing a slight fire, but only superficial damage.” f

Swooped Like Vultures Continuing his graphic account of the battle, the cruiser captain said that a couple of dozen planes attacked another battleship, which was struck twice aft, but the damage was small and the casualties few. More and more bombers raced out from Milos and Kythera. “A direct hit on the Gloucester at IGOO feet brought her to a standstill,” he said.

She was unable to manoeuvre, and became a simple target for bombers. She was ablaze, but her guns continued at full blast until finally it was decided that she must inevitably sink. “The Fiji was standing by, flinging everything except her anchor against the attackers.

“She threw out all her rafts and floats, and most of the Gloucester’s company, it®is believed, got on them.

Survivors Bombed “The Germans again deliberately machine-gunned and bombed the survivors as they set off to attempt to reach Crete. “Stukas then swooped like vultures on the Fiji, and dropped several slicks smack on the bridge amidships, and on the stern. The Fiji flopped over like a turtle, and went down, flaming after a terrific explosion. “Destroyers picked up the survivors, again to the accompaniment of direct attacks on the survivors in the water.” Hangs in Balance After referring to reinforcements of men and supplies which he said had reached and were continuing to reach General Freyberg’s forces, Mr Churchill continued: “At the moment 1 am speaking the issue of this very magnificent resistance hangs in the balance. “So far the Navy has prevented any landings of sea-borne expeditions, although a few small shiploads of troops in Greek caiques may have slipped through. Very heavy losses have been inflicted by our submarines, cruisers and destroyers upon transports and these small Greek ships, but it is not possible to state with accuracy how many thousands of enemy troops have been drowned. The losses have been very heavy.” Operating without air protection, the Navy had suffered heavy losses and Mr Churchill stated that two cruisers and four destroyers had been lost and two battleships and several cruisers damaged. Will Rank High The Mediterranean Fleet was, he continued, today relatively stronger in power compared with the Italian Navy than it was before the Battle of Cape Matapan. However the position of the battle may go, said Mr Churchill, the stubborn defence of

Crete, one of the important outposts of Egypt, would always rank high in the military and naval annals of the British Empire. Turning to other theatres, Mr Churchill continued: “In Iraq our position has been largely re-es-tablished and prospects are greatly improved. There has been no further adverse developments in Syria. “In Abyssinia, daily Italian surrenders continue 'and many thousands of prisoners and masses of equipment are being taken.” • •