NAVY'S BARRAGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23965, 15 May 1941, Page 10

NAVY'S BARRAGE

AIR ATTACK FOILED MEDITERRANEAN ACTION LARGE CONVOY SAFE NO DAMAGE TO FLEET * By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, May 13 The Mediterranean Fleet, escorting a large convoy, has returned to ils base after having repelled one of the most determined German torpedo and bombing night attacks, says the correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain on board the flagship Warspite. The entire fleet was undamaged. Six times enemy machines tried to "penetrate the heaviest anti-aircraft barrages. Each time they were turned "hack, dropping torpedoes and bombs .harmlessly into the sea.

The Exchange Telegraph Company's special correspondent on board the battleship Durham says the barrage Hungup by more than 30 warships was the heaviest and most spectacular yet Been. Heavy units of the fleet blazed mvay with all their armaments, while n strong destroyer screen put up an Umbrella barrage to protect the battle fleet from possible high-level bombing attack.

When the battle fleet opened fire tho raiders apparently abandoned the convoy and, splitting up in groups, attacked the fleet from all angles. Thick foe; descending on the tea ended the buttle alter 15 minutes.

Aii Admiralty communique states: ■"During tiio period May 6 to 12 our naval forces wore operating in the Central Mediterranean. These operalions included the bombardments of already announced ami various convoy movements. During these operations nine enemy aircraft "were shot down and one damaged. Our losses were two fighters. In spite of the Usual exaggerated claims of the enemy, no damage of nnv sort was sustained by His Majesty's ships during these operations. "Thus, during the period May 6 to 32, our naval forces in the Mediterranean have destroyed 16 enemy aircraft and damaged at least six others." HELIGOLAND BOMBED ATTACK IN DAYLIGHT 'ENEMY SHIPPING SUFFERS SUCCESSFUL RHINE RAID LONDON. May 14 British aircraft made a successful •daylight attack on Heligoland. The enemy base was bombed and machinegunned from a height of only a few tiundred feet.

Shipping was also attacked off the fcoasts of Holland and France and at St. Xazaire. Several ships were sunk or damaged. In spite of unfavourable .weather British fighters attacked aerodromes at Ostend.

Tlie success of Monday night's Royal lAir Force raids on Rhine industries is shown in details given by the Air news service, says a British official wireless message. The weather over Mannheim was variable but often clear enough to allow accurate bombing and good observation of the results. A heavy load of incendiary and high exp'osive bombs was dropped on Mannheim and on the industrial suburbs of Ludwigshaven, on the opposite bank of the Rhine.

NEW MEETING PLACE

HOUSE OF COMMONS THIRD BEING PREPARED LONDON, May J 3 With its ancient ceremonial observed 5n every detail, the House of Commons assembled in its new home, the provision of which was made necessar by the damage caused on Saturday night to the debating chamber, says a British official wireless message. Preceded by the Mace, which had tieen rescued, the Speaker. Captain E. A. Fitzroy, led the procession to prayers and mounted his chair—a replica of that in the chamber, around which members were assembled. The Prime Minister, Mr. Churchill, announced that the old House of Commons had been damaged beyond repair for a long time to come. They had already begun the active preparation of a third building in case anything should happen to the one in which they were now meeting. In roplv to Mr. ,T. Maxton, who asked if it was not possible to find accommodation for sittings of the House of Commons even in the House of Peers, Mr. Churchill said the question of using the debating chamber of the House of Lords alternately for the Lords and Commons would be considered. RETAIL TRADE INQUIRY INTO PROBLEMS LONDON, May 18 'Hie President of the Board of Trade, Captain Oliver Lyttelton, has announced the appointment of a committee to advise him on problems that confront retail traders, says a British official wireless message. The committee's terms of reference will be "to examine present problems of the retni! trade in goods other than food, having regard both to immediate needs and the conduct .of the war and the position alter the war, and to report." Captain Lyttelton, who made the announcement in reply to questions in the House of Commons, added that he proposed as soon as the committee had jiafl time for preliminary discussion to consult with the chairman, Mr. W. Craig Henderson, with the object of preparing one or more interim reports on the more urgent aspects of the subjects. ' PRESIDENT'S RECOVERY WASHINGTON, May 10 President. Roosevelt's secretary Mr. Stephen Marly, announced that the President had recovered from bis illness, but his doctor thought it wise that he should remain in the White House for at least another day.