CHANNEL ACTIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24378, 14 September 1942, Page 4

CHANNEL ACTIONS

DAMAGE TO ENEMY

THREE PATROL CLASHES LONDON, Sept. 11 An Admiralty communique tonight tells the story of a spirited and successful action by British light naval forces under the command of Lieutenant Dickens, M.8.E., a great-grandson of Charles Dickens. Early this morning a series of actions developed off the Dutch coast between our light coastal craft, an enemy convoy and covering forces, consisting of E-boats, R-boats, armed trawlers and largo flak slaps. The actions resulted in one enemy tanker destroyed, one large flak ship probably destroyed and one armed trawler and at least six E-boats or R-boats severely damaged. We lost one motor-gunboat and suffered a few casualties. The aerion continued well after daylight within 25 miles of the Dutch coast. The series of actions started when one of our olfensive patrols intercepted and attacked the enemy convoy off Texel. In this attack an enemy tanker of medium size was seen to disintegrate after a torpedo hit, A large flak ship forming part of the escort was also probably hit by a torpedo. This attack was followed by a brisk action at close range between our light, coastal craft and enemy escorts, in the course of this action an enemy armed trawler and one R-boat were hit and very severely damaged. Shortly afterwards a patrol of our light coastal craft intercepted four E-boats and severely handled one before they were able to escape. Later a third patrol met two more E-boats. Again one enemy craft »vas severely damaged. It appears these two groups of E-boats joined forces and were reinforced, for a group of ahout*eight E-boats or R-boats was intercepted and engaged shortly afterwards by a patrol of our light- coastal craft. At least three more vessels received serious damage in the subsequent engagement. It was during this action that one of pur motor-gunboats was set on fire. Since there was no chance of saving the boat, the lieutenant in charge of the patrol ran his boat alongside the burning vessel,-took off the survivors and made sure she would be a total loss and could not fall into enemy hands. LIBERATOR BOMBERS OPERATING FROM BRITAIN (Reed. 5.:?5 p.m.) LONDON, Sept, l'_> An indication that great fomr-engined Liberator bombers, which are being mass produced at the Eord Willow Run factory in Michigan, will soon operate from Britain was given by the United States Under-Secretary of War, Mr. Robert Patterson. These 24 B bombers constituted the backbone of the American striking force, said Mr. Patterson. and he added that better still the machines were on their way. Liberators actually have been operating for some time with the R.A.F. Coastal Command, but Air. Patterson's remarks seem to indicate that they will be taking their place along with Flying Fortresses in the United States Army Air Force in Britain. VICHY INVASION LONDON, Sept. L.'i Vichy staged a mock invasion rehearsal yesterday, when troops and mobile units took over the town for some hours. They commandeered the railway station area and all bridges and roads. Although the authorities called the manoeuvres "an invasion rehearsal" they did not say where they expected the invasion to come from. LOYALTY OF TURKEY LONDON. Sept. 11 According to the Ankara correspondent; of the Daily Telegraph, Mr. Wendell Willkie has received assurances that Turkey will never join the Axis against the United Nations, even if the Germans occupied the whole of the Caucasus. ARGENTINE AND ALLIES NEW YORK, Sept. 11 The Argentine Radical and Socialist, parties, which have a majority in the Chamber of Deputies, have decided to support two pro-Allied resolutions to be moved in the Chamber, says the Buenos Aires correspondent of the New Yonc Times. One .resolution demands an outright break in relations with the Axis, and the other proposes that the declarations and recommendations of the PanAmerican conference at Rio de Janeiro be given the force of law ami applied immediately. The _ conference decided that the countries in the Western Hemisphere would aid other American countries involved in the war with the Axis. RATIONING OF GASOLINE (Reed. 7.1 r, p.m.) NEW YORK, Sept. 1-2 '1 lis Price Administrator, Mr. Leon Henderson, has urged all motorists and sections of the country not rationed to observe the same economy in using cars which is enforced in 17 eastern states in order to conserve tyres until the national gasoline rationing plan can be introduced.

RUBBER FOR JAPANESE NEW YORK, Sept. 11 The Tokio official radio said tho Allied scorched earth policy had cut the rate of rubber production by 70 per cent in Malaya and ■']() per cent in Sumatra. MANOEUVRES IN NORWAY LONDON, Sept. U It is reported from Stockholm that the Germans have been carrying out extensive manoeuvres in the Vaidresfiallen mountain region northward of Oslo in the last few days, including barge landings. MEAL PRICES FIXED CANBERRA. Sept. 12 Maximum meal prices and restrictions on the number of courses which may be served in public eating places will operate from September 21 under a national security order issued to-night. The maximum prices for meals will he: Luncheon 4s, dinner ss, other meals 3s. ROYAL APPRECIATION LONDON, Sept. 12 The House of Commons yesterday received messages of thanks from the King and the Duchess of Kent for the recent messages of condolence and sympathy in connection with the death of the Duke of Kent.