SWEEP BY BRITISH FLEET

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 22661, 14 July 1945, Page 5

SWEEP BY BRITISH FLEET

NICOBARS AND MALACCA STRAIT MINES CLEARED : INSTALLATIONS POUNDED OPERATIONS COST ONLY ONE PILOT LONDON, July 13 Ships of the British East Indies Fleet for five days have teen making a great sweep of objectives in the Nicobar Islands and in the entrance to the' Malacca Strait which leads to Singapore. The ships and their aircraft bombarded and raided shore installations, including radar equipment and airfields, and swept mines in the Nicobar area. This extensive combined operation cost the British fleet one pilot. No ship was damaged. The Japanese were given every opportunity to come out and fight but there was practically no response. The minesweeping was done at the entrance to harbours on two of the Nicobar Islands. This led the Japanese to broadcast the opinion that landings on the islands were intended by the British. One of the main objectives was Sabang, on the north-western tip of Sumatra, where the naval base guarding the Malacca Strait, airfields and other installations were attacked. A special naval communique issued from Headquarters, South-East Asia, states: “During sustained minesweeping operations between July 5 and 10 in the approaches to Malacca Strait ships of the British East Indies fleet were undisturbed by the enemy. “A combined air attack and bombardment was also carried out by units of the fleet against radar installations, airfields and shore batteries in islands of the Nicobar Group. Our carrierborne aircraft also attacked airfields in north-west Sumatra. “The forces were commanded by Rear-Admiral W. R. Patterson, commanding the. Fifth Cruiser Squadron, flying his flag in the cruiser Nigeria. The first air attack was directed against Nicobar and set fire to radio installations on the island. All craft in the area were rendered unseaworthy. “Our aircraft were met by heavy flak, and rescue ships and Naval Air-Sea Rescue Walrus aircraft, which had approached close in shore to recover pilots who had been shot down, were engaged by ineffective machine-gun fire. “The bombardment and air attack on Saturday against Nancowy Amgher, an island of the Nicobar Group, were carried out in heavy rain squalls. Fires and explosions in a camp were observed and two coasters were left on fire. “Two airfields at Kutaraja andilhonga, in north-west Sumatra, were attacked on Wednesday, by Hellcats. One Japanese aircraft was shot down by our pilots returning to the carriers. Only one pilot is missing from all these operations. None of our ships suffered casualties or damage.