FOUGHT IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 June 1942, Page 3

FOUGHT IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

Supplies Delivered to Malta and Tobruk

SOME LOSSES SUFFERED ON BOTH SIDES ITALIAN HEAVY CRUISER SUNK LONDON, June 16. Official news is given of a grea,t sea and air battle in the Mediterranean. Joint Admiralty and Air Ministry communiques state that the Royal Navy and Merchant Navy, with the cooperation of the R.A.F. and United States Army planes, delivered supplies to the garrisons at Malta and Tobruk. The movement was carried out in the face of heavy attacks by superior enemy naval and air forces and was not completed without loss. Fantastic claims by the enemy, however, are without foundation. Losses and damage were inflicted on enemy ships. An Italian cruiser of 10,000 tons, with 8-inch guns, was sunk. At least two enemy destroyers were also sunk. Heavy losses were inflicted on enemy aircraft. A Cairo communique states that during the past four days aircraft have supported naval operations in the central and eastern Mediterranean. On Sunday evening an enemy destroyer was sighted south of Taranto. It was attacked by long-range torpedo-carrying aircraft, but the result is not known. Yesterday morning Italian fleet units were attacked by torpedocarrying planes from Malta and Africa and by Liberator aircraft, the majority of which were United States Army planes. A number of hits were obtained on. battleships and fires were caused. One cruiser was set on fire and was sunk by torpedoaircraft. A six-inch gun cruiser is also known to have been hit. The enemy turned northward, and was shadowed during the night. Yesterday morning a second Italian force was attacked by torpedo-carrying' aircraft. One cruiser was hit and set on fire and one destroyer was probably hit. During Saturday, Sunday and yesterday our naval forc'es were engaged with enemy bombers. Heavy fighting took place. An enemy force of 40 bombers and 20 fighters was intercepted and the bombers were compelled to jettison their bombs far from our ships. Considerable losses were inflicted on enemy aircraft. In the last 24 hours, 10 enemy bombers have been shot down over Malta.