THE NAVY’S PART

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25276, 13 July 1943, Page 5

THE NAVY’S PART

PROTECTION OF ARMADA MOMENTOUS ENTERPRISE RUGBY, July 11. “We are about to embark on the most momentous enterprise of the war —striking for the first time at the enemy in his own land.” Thus Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham begpn the historic message he sent on Jj'riaay to all ships taking part in the Sicilian operation. . • “ Success,” he said, “ means the opening of a second front, with all that implies and the first move towards the rapid and decisive defeat of our enemies. Our object is clear, and our primary duty is to place this vast expedition ashore in the minimum of time, and subsequently to maintain our military and air forces as they drive relentlessly forward into enemy territory. In the light of this duty great risks must and are to be accepted. The safety of our own ships and all distracting considerations are. to be relegated to second place or disregarded as the accomplishment of our primary duly may require. On every commanding officer, officer, and rating lies a personal duty of ensuring that no flinching in determination or failure of effort on his own part will hamper this great enterprise. I rest confident in the resolution, skill, and endurance of you all to whom this momentous enterprise is entrusted.” Long Lines of Ships

The Sicilian picture begins to take clearer shape as eye-witness accounts reach London. One account received from an Allied force command post states: —“ It was like a Spithead review,” was how a naval officer described the scene off the Sicilian coast yesterday, with long lines of ships of all types and all sizes lying oft the beaches, the only thing missing being the bunting. Landing crafts were lussing backwards and forwards to the beaches, which were crowded with troops. Naval beach parties were supervising the unloading of equipment, guns, and tanks, which went on steadily throughout the day. “After the enemy coastal batteries had been silenced and our' troops had broken through the beach defences, there was very little sign that we had landed in enemy territory. During the early stages of the assault in the hours of darkness the weather made the landing of troops no easy task. A high wjnd caused a heavy swell, but the Allied navies carried out the job without any hitch. In an amphibious operation the navy has completecharge until the troops actually put their feet on land, ana they overcame the many difficulties magnificently. “The huge battle fleet which covered the landing contained many Allied units, and included a big American force taking part in its first ampihibious operation in the European theatre. “The cruisers and destroyers silenced many of the coastal batteries which opened fire on our assault boats as they went in to the beaches. One of these batteries whose code name was ‘P for Peter,’ after being silenced by the warships, began to fire again, but only spasmodically. Its shells never fell within range of our ships, but apparently they annoyed the British admiral, who sent a signal, ‘lf “ P for Peter ” opens his mouth again I’ll give him the works.’ Commander With Fleet “Admiral Cunningham was afloat on Saturday afternoon, visiting in turn the naval forces off the Sicilian coast and the naval forces working the beaches. By this time the swell had died down, and it was a lovely summer afternoon. “As we passed through the long jine of ships we saw a big transport unloading tanks into landing craft, and watched the troops being taken ashore without any interference from the enemy. The only excitement was when ■ a solitary enemy aircraic dropped a stick of bombs into the sea about two miles away. The little coast towns all looked deserted.”