TARANTO TRIUMPH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23817, 19 November 1940, Page 7

TARANTO TRIUMPH

NAVY'S WAIT OUTSIDE FORCE ITALIANS TO SEA ONE HOPE THAT FAILED LONDON, Nov. 15 "It is my intention to act offensively in the lonian Sea and to seek engagement with the enemy." This was the historic signal sent by Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham as the Meditei-ranean Fleet got under way at the start of the great expedition which culminated in the Fleet Air Arm's shattering blow against the Italian Fleet at Taranto. A correspondent with the Fleet has sent the following despatch on the action: — Crui3ed For 24 Hours ,! I was aboard a heavy oruiser, which, with a great array of other vessels, including heavy battleships, steamed into Italian waters. It was the largest British armada seen in the Mediterranean since the outbreak of war. "We saw our aeroplanes take off and disappear above the Italian coastline on their famous mission. Their aim was not only to attack the Italian Navy, but to force part of it to sea, where the British armada was awaiting to give battle. This was to have been the concluding item of a 3000mile sweep of all parts of the Mediterranean. "Part of the British forces steamed between the Greek islands and the heel of Italy, while the whole armada cruised in tho vicinity for 24 hours, until it became evident that the Dace's ships were afraid to show themselves, even though they still outmatched ours on paper. Raid On Convoy Heard "All our ships' maintained action stations during tlie long wait. The gunners, wearing duffel and lamb's wool coats, curious Arab-like hoods, and weird anti-flash gear, resembled creatures from another planet. "At one time we heard the thunder of guns from the force sent ahead to destroy an Italian convoy intended for Albania. The ether became alive with S.O.S. signals from the sinking Italian ships. "Aeroplanes from our aircraft-car-riers roared into action all night. "The Fleet began another sweep toward dawn, and this lasted until well after midday. Eagerly we awaited the keenly-sought naval reckoning, but it did not eventuate. Finally, the British armada wheeled toward its base, having proved that the Italian Battle Fleet has only one object—to escape complete annihilation."

NEEDLESS PANIC GERMAN SEA-CAPTAINS WARSHIPS WERE AMERICAN INCIDENT AT TAMPICO By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received November IS, 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK,. Nov. 17 A message from Tninpico says the commander of the Mexican gunboat Queretaro, Lieutenant Guanutemoo Perez Zavala, who was ordered to investigate the scuttling of the German motor-ship Phrygia soon after that vessel, together with the Rhein, Idarwald and Orinoco, had left Tampico in an effort to run the blockade, said he had established that three American destroyers were the warships the Germans saw when they put to sea. The United States Naval Attache at Mexico City, Commander Wallace Dilon, said no IJnited States warships were at Tampico, but it is noted that he did not deny that they may have been off the coast. The Phrygia was last seen burning fiercely. Her crew got ashore in the lifeboats. The other three vessels returned to Tampico. Two of the German captains alleged that they had been chased by British or Canadian destroyers.

NAVAL BOMBARDMENT ITALIAN SOMALILAND PORT HITS SCORED ON SHIPPING LONDON, Nov. 17 The Admiralty has announced that British light naval forces carried out a bombardment of Mogadishu (Italian Somaliland) and scored hits' on targets ashore and shipping lying in the port. Shore batteries replied ineffectively. No damage or casualties were suffered by the British forces. The Royal Air Force is believed to have damaged the Addis Ababa-Jibuti railway, hitting a bridge on the track at Diredawa, which lias been raided nine times in the past week.