MIDN L. J. Tathan, RAN, and the crew of the whaler from HMS KANDAHAR which he was commanding in rescue operations, was killed when the boat was heavily strafed by German aircraft. KANDAHAR had gone to the rescue of HMS NEPTUNE, (cruiser), which had struck a mine before the aircraft launched their attack. KANDAHAR also struck a “mine, and was later sunk by HMS JAGUAR. The minefield was laid off Tripoli.