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[Page 3]
Squadron, 5 ships, the 5th (including the Australian) Flotilla some 35 T.B.D's and 6 French T.B.D's. Nearly all these ships with the exception of the T.B.'s were now under way or preparing to do so.
It appeared that the Austrian battle fleet had been seen by one of our Submarine patrols under way and leaving harbour and we, disposed to give them greeting were ordered to meet them. In less than an hour all these ships were clear of the protecting booms and with the Destroyers leading the way and keeping a close look out for any lurking Fritz which migh improve the shining hour by torpedoing one of our big ships, the combined fleets put to sea. First of all came the British T.B.D's spread out east and west some ten miles. Next in order the English Cruisers "Gloucester" "Dartmouth" (flag) "Weymouth" and "Liverpool." Astern of them a screen of French T.B.D's and finally the Italian Cruisers and Flotilla leaders who made over toward the Austrian coast in case the enemy might slip by. When within about 10 miles of the Austrian coast "Action" was sounded off, and we all went to our battle stations, and I must say an extraordinary mob we looked. Everyone on the upper deck was provided with an antiflash mask and respirator. These masks made from asbestos cloth, covered the head and shoulders leaving apertures for the eyes giving us the appearance of being manned by a company of Monks of the Carmelite Order.
Every man in addition wore his lifebelt. While stationed at various places throughout the ship were little piles of asbestos cloth gloves or rather gauntlets, these latter to be used by men ordered to extinguish fires.
Alack, all our precautions came to naught, for although the T.B.D's steamed within a few miles of the enemy's coast not a sign of him was to be seen, and by 3.0. p.m. we were all on our way back to Brindisi again. We were not to return, however, entirely without incident. When half the distance had been covered a solitary enemy plane was observed steering towards the "Gloucester" which ship promptly opened fire with her H.A. Guns. The plane swerved off and planted very neatly a bomb on either