ACTION WITH ITALIANS

Southland Times, Issue 24180, 17 July 1940, Page 5

ACTION WITH ITALIANS

Enemy Naval Force Retires Quickly RECENT BATTLE DESCRIBED (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, July 15.

An Admiralty communique states: “Fuller information is now available about the recent operations in the Mediterranean. Reports received during the morning of July 9 established that the Italian force consisted of two battleships and a large number of cruisers, among which were eight-inch gun cruisers and approximately 25 destroyers.

“In the early afternoon contact was made by a squadron of British light cruisers with the enemy cruiser force, which retired immediately on coming within the extreme range of the supporting battleships. From this point the action developed into a chase A few salvoes were exchanged between the battleships. One hit with a 15-inch shell was observed on one of the Italian battleships before the enemy force escaped through a smoke screen laid by

their destroyers. The destroyers also retired at full speed through this smoke screen before the British light forces could close to a range sufficiently near to damage them. “Fairey Swordfish aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm forced home an attack in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire and scored a hit on an enemy cruiser. “The enemy was pursued until the British Fleet was in sight of land and, though our forces remained to offer battle until the evening, despite a succession of bombing attacks by large forces of Italian aircraft, the enemy did not offer to renew the action. When it became evident that the enemy had no further intention of joining battle our forces continued their operations. “The British convoys to which they were acting as a covering force have now arrived at their destination safely. During this latter phase our ships were repeatedly attacked by aircraft and three casualties to personnel were caused by bomb splinters from near misses. No other casualties were suffered during these attacks by aircraft or during the brief fleet action. Nor were any hits made by an enemy bomb or by gunfire. Five enemy aircraft were shot down by fighters of the Fleet Air Ann.

“As announced on July 10, another force, including the Hood and the Ark Royal, had been carrying out a sweep of the Western Mediterranean. No enemy surface craft were met, but sustained bombing attacks were encountered. As already stated there were no casualties among the personnel or damage to this force caused by enemy aircraft, of which four were destroyed. Seven others were damaged.” REPLY TO ACTION BY ITALY (Received July 16, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 15. The Admiralty announced that Italy has declared that merchant vessels operate at their own peril within 30 miles of Allied coasts. Therefore Britain is justified in taking action and Italy has been similarly advised that all vessels navigating within 30 miles of any Italian territory do so at their own risk and peril.