ENEMY OFFERS NO CHALLENGE

Southland Times, Issue 24354, 7 February 1941, Page 5

ENEMY OFFERS NO CHALLENGE

(British Official Wireless) RUGBY, February 5. A Press correspondent on board a British battleship with the Mediterranean Fleet states: “Our powerful eastern Mediterranean battlefleet has once again put to sea to try conclusions with the enemy. Taking up the gauntlet flung down by the Luftwaffe on the decks of the aircraft-carrier, Illustrious in the epic sea duel of last month, the Commanding Officer, Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham, issued a stirring signal to all ships saying, ‘ltalian or German, these pests must be shot out of the sky.’ The German and Italian air challenge failed to hinder our activities in any way. The units had a highly important mission in the central Mediterranean and light forces along the Libyan coast maintained uninterrupted operations. Practically the only incident was caused by some mines which came so close that we sometimes had to alter course sharply to avoid them. We completed our covering operations uneventfully and the exercises went well within range of enemy aircraft without producing a reply from the enemy. Our fighter patrols have possession of the sky. Soon we shall be back again at our base for a brief respite, somewhat disappointed with the lack of action but with undiminished faith in our Mediterranean domination.

We had hopes of meeting the enemy early in the voyage when an enemy spotting ’plane was believed to have reported our presence. We were then in the neighbourhood of ‘bomb alley,’ the scene of intense bombings in the past. The news was broadcast throughout the ships and everyone was on the alert although now that the element of danger in enemy bombing no longer exists we felt confident. The morning, however, dragged on without any attack.”