Naval battles off the Libyan coast between Qaddafi forces and NATO warships

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Defense News - Libya
 

Saturday, May 14, 2011, 1:36 PM

 
Naval battles off the Libyan coast between Qaddafi forces and NATO warships.
 
On two occasions in the past week, NATO warships came under fire of Pro Qaddafi forces and had to return fire in a coordinated way in order to protect their vessels. Both incidents happened off the port city of Misrata.
     
French Navy Light Stealth Frigate Courbet opens fire against Qaddafi forces using its 100mm main gun
French Navy Light Stealth Frigate Courbet opens fire against Qaddafi forces using its 100mm main gun. © EMA / Marine nationale
     
On the night of May 7 to May 8, French frigate COURBET detected shots of pro-Gaddafi forces on the city of Misratah. French sailors identified the source of shots: a battery of rocket launchers on the coastal strip south-east of the city. In coordination with the staff of Operation Unified Protector, the frigate opened fire with its 100 mm gun and stopped the bombing on civilian populations. Similar action was conducted May 2 from the French frigate Montcalm off Brega.
     
HMS Liverpool returns fire on Libyan shore batteries using her 4.5in main gun.
HMS Liverpool returns fire on Libyan shore batteries using her 4.5in main gun.
©
Crown Copyright/MOD
     
At approximately 2 am on Thursday the 12th of May, NATO warships participated in a coordinated defence against a number of small boats threatening the port city of Misrata. The boats were forced to abandon their attack and regime forces ashore covered their retreat with artillery and anti-aircraft canon fire directed towards the allied warships. HMCS CHARLOTTETOWN responded with a short burst machinegun fire and HMS LIVERPOOL also returned fire. Neither warship sustained any damage or injury during this engagement. The ships were just six miles off the coast of Gaddafi-held territory when they came under the barrage of rockets and heavy calibre machine gunfire.