ENEMY SHIPPING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 219, 16 September 1943, Page 5

ENEMY SHIPPING

HARASSED FROM AIR Recd. 6.20 p.m. Rugby, Sept. 14. Typhoons were active again io-aay, harassing enemy shipping. Aircraft from two squadrons sank one small vessel, left four on fire, and damaged six others. In Lie face of intense flak from shore batteries and ships, Typhoons of the New Zealand Squadron attacked with cannon at sea level off Cherbourg, leaving a tug well ca fire and sinking. They also set lire to a naval auxiliary of about 1000 tons and damaged two escorting E or Rboats. 1 Another Typhoon squadron which flew ten miles up the Oosterscelde among the Dutca islands set two coasters on fire, sank a harbour launch, and damaged three large seagoing barges and a tug. A spitfire also damaged a 500-ton coaster off Dunkirk with cannon and machinegun fire. All the aircraft returned safely. A naval skirmish off Holland is described in an Admiralty communique. “While on patrol off the coast of Holland near Ijmuiden last night,” it says, “coastal forces encountered and engaged a group of tnemy patrol vessels. His Majesty’s ships thrust home their attack to close range, in face of rapid fire, and torpedoed one of the patrol ships. Two other hits were possibly scored, but in the darkness it was impossible to observe the full results. His Majesty’s ships all returned safely. One rating was slightly wounded.”—B.O.W.