FIGHT BETWEEN DESTROYERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16673, 18 October 1917, Page 5

FIGHT BETWEEN DESTROYERS

ENEMY PRESSING LAND ATTACK MUTINIES IN AUSTRIAN KAVY ACTIVITY OF BRITISH PATROLS An action has been fought between Russian am' German torpedo=boat destroyers in the neighbourhood oi Island, in the Gulf of Riga, where the Germans recentli -.or'jto a land* ing. The Russians lost one torpedo«boat and sank or a. crman torpedo=boat. The Russian commander testifies 10 i excellent fighting spirit of the men of the fleet. The Germans clans to have occupied the whole of Oesel Island except the Sworbe Peninsula, on the southwestern coast. From Sweden comes the report that the Germans are arming the Finns for an attack upon Petrograd. The occurrence of several serious mutinies among the men of the Austrian navy is reported. Details are given of a sanguinary fight at Pola between Austrian sailors and the crews of a German submarine flotilla. The disaffection in the Austrian navy is said to be increasing. 'A message has been sent by the British War Cabinet to Sir Douglas Haig expressing the admiration aroused throughout the-Empire by the achievements of the British armies in Flanders. The message also expresses the personal confidence of the Prime Minister in the leadership of Sir Douglas Haig and the devotion of those under his command. British patrols have been active, and the clearer weather has made possible much effective counter»battery work. Further details of the New Zealand advance on Friday on the Ypres front state that it was prosecuted with the greatest gallantry, the troops being stopped only after the most heroic exertions. Owing to the daring shown in bring* ing in the wounded, practically no New Zealanders were taken prisoner by the Germans.