SHIP BLOWN UP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23700, 5 July 1940, Page 8

SHIP BLOWN UP

ITALIAN DESTROYER SINKING OF THE ESPERO BRITISH NAVAL SUCCESS By Telejjraph—Press Association- -Copyright (Received July -I. 5.H5 p.m.) LONDON, July 1 The Cairo correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says the first details of the sinking of the Italian destroyer Espero on June 29 show that, British warships were taking up positions ior a convoy when a Royal Air Force aeroplane reported sighting three destroyers. They were intercepted by the British ships at the exact point indicated by the aeroplane,

The leading British ship opened lire at 18,000 yards, in a failing light. A terrific explosion in the hindmost ship within 20 minutes indicated n direct hit. Later a shell hit the magazine and the fire spread rapidly, The ship finally blew up, , . , • The other Kalian ships escaped under cover of a smoke screen and darkness. British destroyers have landed at Alexandria 09 survivors of Italian naval units sunk sinco Juno 27.

NEW ZEALAND AIRMEN BUSY BOMBING GERMANY SQUADRON'S GOOD WORK (Received July *l, >Vtts p.m.) LONDON. July 4 Tho New Zealand air squadron, in association with an English squadron at the same bomber command station, has taken a prominent part in the recent devastating British raids on Germany. Night after night its aeroplanes have participated in raids ; which varied from five to eight hours in duration,, and penetrated deep into enemy territory, inflicting severe damage on important supply and storage areas. These men, from all parts of the Dominion, are living strenuous days and nights. They are doing a magnificent job in association with their English colleagues. Some of them have not left their aerodromes for weeks except to "call on Jerry." The officer commanding the station described the personnel of both squadrons as the finest material imaginable. Tho Aucklander Mr. Hector Bolitho has lent to the chapel of the station for the duration of the war a finely carved prayer desk from Saint George's Chapel, Windsor. Mr. Bolitho received this as a gift from tho Dean of Windsor. It will go to the Auckland Cathedral after the war.

QUEEN'S VISIT DOMINION TROOPS LORD BLEDISLOE'S TRIBUTE LONDON. July 3 Her Majesty the Queen chatted with Anzacs when she visited the Salvation Army hostel for troops on leave. Lord Bledisloe, former GovernorGeneral of New Zealand, visited the New Zealand camp and inspected units, including the Muoris. He congratulated the officers and men on their selfdenial and patriotism, and expressed confidence that the land forces would distinguish themselves as the New Zealand sea and air forces had already done. The Minister of Supply, Mr. Herbert Morrison, in the House of Commons, said he was communicating with the Dominion authorities with a view to arranging for Dominion troops to send letters home free of postage. PRISONER IN GERMANY DUTCH COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF British Wireless LONDON, July 3 An official announcement from Amsterdam that General Winkelman, Commander-in-Chief of the Dutch Army, has been dismissed from his post and transported as a prisoner of war to Germany, has occasioned no surprise in London.

The German announcement mentioned than General Winkelman's subordinates, as well as the Dutch Com-mander-in-Chief, had failed to observe the rules laid down for demobilisation, "as a result of which the orderly progress of demobilisation has been disturbed."