Defense News - Libya |
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Saturday,
May 14, 2011, 1:36 PM |
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| Naval
battles off the Libyan coast between Qaddafi forces and NATO
warships. |
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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.
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French
Navy Light Stealth Frigate Courbet opens fire against Qaddafi
forces using its 100mm main gun. © EMA / Marine nationale
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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. |
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HMS
Liverpool returns fire on Libyan shore batteries using her
4.5in main gun.
© Crown
Copyright/MOD
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| 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. |
