171..
8/4/43
No. 18
NOT FOR PUBLICATION, BROADCAST, OR USE ON CLUB TAPES BEFORE 0030 D.B.S.T: (i.c. FOR MORNING PAPERS) ON
FRIDAY, 9th APRIL, 1943
THIS EMBARGO SHOULD BE RESPECTED OVERSEAS BY PREFACING ANY MESSAGES FILED WITH THE EMBARGO
LOTLE SHIPS IN TEN ACTIONS
During the past month, light coastal forces of the Royal Navy and of the Allied Navies have fought ten successful actions ranging from the Straits of Dover to the Norwegian Fiords and from the Dutch coast to the Dogger Bank.
Those engagements, averaging one every three days, are the measure of the vital part played by our "little ships" in the grand strategy of the war.
•
Although the main purpose of our light coastal forces is offence, they have the additional responsibility of protecting some of our own coastwise shipping.
This double rule has been pursued vigorously over the past month during which the little ships have carried out high speed, hard-hitting raids on enemy supply lines and spirited engagements with E-boats attempting to intercept our convoys as they near Britain.
How successful these actions have been is indicated by the month's score shoot. This shows :-
OUR LOSSES.
Sunk
One light coastal craft
(A few of our ships
sustained superficial Jamage).
ENEMY LOSSES
Ma Ma m
Sunk
E-boats
3 large supply ships
2 medium supply ships
1 patrol craft
1 armed trawler
Severely Damaged
3 patrol craft
1 large tanker
1 small supply ship
1 escort vessel Several E-boats
While the large tanker te listoa as only damaged it is believed that she sank later as a result of the action.
NAVAL AFFAIRS
J