Navy's Libyan rescue mission "undoubtedly" saved lives

THE men and women of HMS York “undoubtedly” saved lives when they rescued civilians stranded in Libya as fighting engulfed the country.

The destroyer picked up 43 civilians – 11 Britons and 32 other nationalities from a dozen countries – from the eastern port of Benghazi during a fleeting visit to the city on Thursday and safely transported them to Malta.

Among them was oil engineer Steve Tindal from Swansea, part of a group of three oil workers escorted to the port by the self-styled Jalu People’s Army as the Foreign and Commonwealth Office urged all Britons still in Libya to make for Benghazi.

After a hair-raising journey to the port – the desert oil field where the engineers had been working was “subsequently overrun with heavy casualties” – the sight of HMS York and her sailors and Royal Marines was “a massive relief,” said Mr Tindal.

He added: “The immediate feeling of security they provided for us was utterly mind-blowing and made me proud to be British.”

Benghazi has been in the hands of anti-Colonel Gaddafi rebels for a couple of weeks, but the situation in the city remained tense when York arrived – the sound of gunfire crackling across the city was audible during the destroyer’s short time alongside.

The Type 42 was diverted from her original destination of the Falklands to deliver medical supplies Benghazi’s hospital and rescue civilians eager to escape the growing crisis in the troubled North African state.

“We were in a fraught state and the care given was very grateful,” said Mr Tindal. “York put us in a comfort zone we hadn't experienced throughout our ordeal which had its fair share of incidents.”

From the moment the evacuees arrived at the jetty, the ship’s company showed them “care and compassion”.

Mr Tindal continued: “The commander’s first, second and third priority was for our safety and well-being. I am honest enough to say that I had tears in my eyes when I saw first hand what these guys and girls were doing for us. These guys and girls undoubtedly saved my life.

“The conditions on board were cramped but it didn't faze any of the crew in the least. They gave up their bunks for us to get some rest while they were on full war-footing – six hours on and six hours off.

“They were all exhausted but it didn't show one little bit – amazing endurance. A tribute again to the commander and his crew.”

York’s place in Operation Deference – the Royal Navy codename for the Libyan mission – has been taken by HMS Westminster which broke off duties in home waters to head for the Med in company with medical/aviation support ship RFA Argus.

HMS Cumberland paid her third visit to Benghazi over the weekend to extract more civilians and remains on station in the Mediterranean.

As part of the combined RN-RAF-Army rescue mission, more than 500 British citizens have been evacuated, plus over 850 civilians of other nationalities.