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LOSS OT HERMES.
NONSTOP ATC ATTACK;
NO TORPEDOES USED.
(Australian Associated Press.)
. COLOMBO. ADril 12.
A non-stop' air attack, in the face of
intense anti-aircraft fire, sank the air-
craft carrier Hermes within sight of
land. No torpedoes were used,
A wounded sub-lieutenant, inter-
viewed in. hospital, said: "We had a
presentiment that we were going to
have a lively time when anti-aircraft
action stations was sounded, At first
we sighted three planes to starboard,
flying at a terrific height. The Hermes'
anti-aircraft and" pom-pom guns put up
an . intense barrage. - but this did not
prevent the Japanese planes diving
through the curtain. The planes flew;
over, in formation and their bombing1
was pretty deadly. "The Hermes was
hit several times and set on fire. She
blazed furiously. Wave after wave of
low-flying raiders paid for their au-
dacity, and at least four did not reach
their base. The action went on for
some time. We were able to see the
shore throughout the fight"
Judging by the number of carrier
based- planes used in these attacks, it
was thought that at least a new Japan-
ese Î8,000-ton aircraft carrier accom-
modating 60 planes is operating in the
Indian Ocean.
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