ATTACKS ON CONVOYS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24911, 9 May 1942, Page 5

ATTACKS ON CONVOYS

BRITISH CRUISER SUNK ENEMY LOSE A DESTROYER RUGBY, May 7. It is now , possible to give some account of the operations which have lately been taking place in the Arctic, says an Admiralty communique. These operations were concerned with the passage of two convoys, one carrying important war supplies to Russia and the other consisting of homewardbound ships which already Jiad taken cargoes to North Russia. Over a period of several days the enemy made determined attempts by light surface forces, U-boats, and aircraft to prevent the safe passage of these convoys. Although we suffered some loss as the result of these attacks, nearly the whole of the convoy bound for Russia arrived safely at the destinations, and only one ship was lost from the homeward-bound convoy. This ship was in ballast. Losses were also inflicted on the enemy. On the afternoon of April 30 the cruiser Edinburgh (Captain W. H. Faulkner) was torpedoed by a U-boat and her steering gear disabled, but she was able to continue under her own power at reduced speed. Second Hit on Cruiser The following afternoon the home-ward-bound convoy was attacked by three German destroyers, which made five separate attempts to break through the convoy escort and destroy the convoy. In these attacks the enemy were assisted by heavy weather and low, patchy visibility. All five attacks were driven off by the convoy escort, but one shiu of the convoy was sunk and two of the escort vessels suffered a small number of casualties, including seven fatal ones.

On the Morning of May 2 the Edinburgh and escorting destroyers were attacked by three German destroyers in heavy weather and low visibility. The Edinburgh by this time was in tow. The enemy was immediately enr gaged, and one of the enemy destroyers was sunk and another hit and severely damaged. The Edinburgh, however, was again hit by a torpedo. She was abandoned, and later had to be sunk by our own forces, as towing was no longer practical in the weather prevailing. The homewardbound convoy was not again: molested. Attack by Dive-bombers, After an attack by three German destroyers on the afternoon of May 1, the convoy bound for Russia was attacked by six Junkers 88 dive-bombers. One enemy aircraft was shot down, and the convoy and escorts suffered no damage or casualties.; This convoy was again subjected to air attack bn the evening of May 2, this time by six torpedo-carrying aircraft, of which at least one was destroyed and others damaged. Three ships of the convoy were . torpedoed and sank. This convoy was again dive-bombed the following evening, but the attack, was unsuccessful, only minor damage being caused to one ship. One Junkers 88 was shot down. • • 'Thfe' convoy -completed' the voyage without further interference by the enemy. Thus 90 per cent, of supply for Russia reached its destination.

H.M.S. Edinburgh was completed in 1939. Her displacement was 10,000 tons. She had 12 6in guns, 12 4in A.A. guns, four three-pounders, and 16 smaller guns. She had six 21in (tripled) torpedo tubes and carried four aircraft with one catapult.