NAZI FORCES BAFFLED GALLANT FIGHTER PILOTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 228, 28 September 1942, Page 3

NAZI FORCES BAFFLED

GALLANT FIGHTER PILOTS

Rugby, Sept. 25. Following the announcement that a convoy which was described as “one of the biggest of modern times” had arrived at Russia, the Admiralty has issued a report of the passage of this convoy.

The escorting forces were commanded by Admiral R. L. Burnett, in the cruiser Scylla, who, after the convoy’s arrival in Russia, turned his naval forces to fight the way for a homeward-bound convoy from Russia through the same area in which the enemy had very large forces.

As already announced, some losses were suffered by the convoy proceeding to Russia, although the great majority of the ships, arrived safely, thanks to the fortitude and determination of the officers and men in the convoy and escort vessels. Some losses were also sustained among the ships of the homewardbound convoy. The destroyer Somali

was torpedoed and was taken in tow by another destroyer, but after three days of towing bad weather caused the Somali to break in two and sink. The minesweeper Leda was also torpedoed and sunk.

During the passage of these two convoys 40 enemy aircraft were seen to crash and a large number were severely damaged. Four of our carrier-borne naval lighter aircraft are missing, but three pilots are safe. Considerable success was achieved in rescuing the survivors of sunken ships. _ Throughout the whole of this operation the Coastal Command of the R.A.F. provided invaluable aid making patrols and reconnaissances under the most arduous flying conditions. The enemy was able to attack the convoy for many days from bases conveniently situated along the flank of its route. Attempts to destroy the Russia-bound convoy began on September 12 and in the early phases of the battle one U-boat was probably seriously damaged. Air attacks began on the following day with high-level bombing and mining of the waters ahead of the convoy followed by an attack by 40 or 50 torpedo-carriers who flew * towards the convoy in line abreast and in close formation. Our carrier-borne fighters, which were Sea Hurricanes, a modification of the standad Huricane type, and the intense fire put up by all the ships, destroyed five enemy aircraft, which were seen to crash into the sea, and probably destroyed or damaged many others. Two more were seen to crash in a further attack that day, and another six at dusk, out of 12 attacking, made a total for the day of 13 torpedocarriers destroyed. Next day the U-boats returned to the attack, and as the result of our counter-attacks oil and wreckage, wooden gratings and green vegetables came to the surface. The torpedo-carriers also returned and clearly disliking our naval fighters, selected the aircraft-carrier as their main taget, hut she was not hit. At least 24 enemy aicraft were destroyed on this day, September 14, while Admiral Burnett, in his report, says: “I will never forget the reckless gallantry of the naval fighter pilots in their determination to get among the enemy, despite the solid mass of our defensive fire of every type.” On September 15 the convoy was subjected to three hours of high-and-low-level bombing by from 50 to 70 planes. Low cloud prevented the confirmation of the enemy losses, but the attacks were beaten off and the convoy saved again. On this day another U-boat was almost certainly sunk. The enemy’s last attach on this convoy was by 24 dive-bombers shortly before it reached its destination. No damage was caused but two enemy aircraft were shot down. It seemed as if the Luftwaffe had then had enough, for the returning convoy was not attacked from the air, the enemy confining his depredations to U-boats. The commodore of this returning convoy was Commodore J. C. K. Dowding.—B.O.W.