TOOK UP GAUNTLET

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21336, 6 February 1941, Page 8

TOOK UP GAUNTLET

ENEMY DOES NOT APPEAR FLEET IN MEDITERRANEAN ADMIRAL’S SIGNAL romciai Wireless) (Received Feb. 0. 3.15 p.m.) RUGBY. Feb. 5 The press correspondent aboard a British battleship with the Mediterranean Fleet states: “Our powerful Eastern Mediterranean battle fleet 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 aircraft carrier. Illustrious, in the epic sea duel of last month. CommandingOfficer Admiral Cunningham issued a stirring signal to all ships saying, ‘ltalian or German, these pests must be shot out of the sky.’ “The German and Italian air challenge failed to hinder our activities in any way. The units have a highly imnortant mission in Central Mediterranean and light forces along the Libyan coast maintained uninterrupted operations. Practically the onlv incident arose from some mines which came so close that we sometimes had to alter our course sharply to avoid them. Covering Operations “We completed our covering operations uneventfully and exercised well within range of enemy aircraft without producing a reply from the enemy. Our fighter patrols have possession of the sky. “Soon we shall be back again at our base for a brief respite. “We are 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,” a scene of intense bombings in the past. “News was broadcast throughout the ship and everyone was on the alert and now that the element of danger in enemy bombing no longer exists we felt confident. The morning, however, dragged on without any attack.”