TERRIFIC EXPLOSION
ITALIAN DESTROYER SUNK SHELL HITS MAGAZINE BRITISH WARSHIPS’ SUCCESS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, July 4 The Cairo correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says the first details of the sinking of the Italian destroyer Espero on June 29 show that British warships were taking up positions for a convoy when a Royal Air Force aeroplane reported sighting three destroyers. They were intercepted by the British ships at the exact point indicated by the aeroplane. The leading British ship opened fire at 18,000 yards, in a failing light. A terrific explosion in the hindmost ship within 20 minutes, indicated a direct hit. Later a shell hit the magazine and the fire spread rapidly. The ship finally blew up. The other Italian ships escaped under cover of a smoke screen and darkness. British destroyers have landed at Alexandria 99 survivors of Italian naval units sunk since June 27.
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Bibliographic details
Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21157, 5 July 1940, Page 12
Word Count
149TERRIFIC EXPLOSION Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21157, 5 July 1940, Page 12
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