BRITISH NAVY IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 33, 8 February 1941, Page 5

BRITISH NAVY IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

EASTERN FLEET AT SEA GAUNTLET FLUNG DOWN BY LUFTWAFFE TAKEN UP [ British Official Wireless. ] RUGBY/ Feb. 5. A Press correspondent, on board a British battleship with the Mediterranean Fleet states: "Our powerful eastern Mediterranean battle fleet 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 new British aircraft-carrier H.M.S. 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,’ but the enemy has failed to hinder our activities in any way.

“Our units, which have a highlyimportant mission in the central Mediterranean, and our light forces along the Libyan coast have maintained uninterrupted operations. Practically the only incident has been more mines, which came so close that we sometimes had to alter our course sharply to avoid them.

"We have finished our covering operations uneventfully and have exercised well within range of enemy aircraft, without, producing a reply from the enemy. Our fighter patrols have possession of the sky. Somewhat Disappointed "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, and the news was broadcast, throughout the ship. Everyone was on the alert; the morning, however, dragged on without any attack.”