THE SEA FIGHT OFF HELIGOLAND

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 51, 23 November 1917, Page 6

THE SEA FIGHT OFF HELIGOLAND

OFFICIAL NARRATIVE OF EVENTS

ENEMY PURSUED THROUGH

MINEFIELDS

(Rec. November 22, 10.30 p.m.)

London, November 22,

Tho Admiralty supplies the following details of Saturday's action in Heligoland Bight:—"Towards eight o'clock wo sighted four light cruisers steaming on a northerly courso, accompanied by destroyers and mine-sweepers or patrol vessels. The latter escaped to tho north-east. One was sunk by destroyer gunfire, and a number of survivors rescued. Tho enemy's light cruisers and destroyers then turned towards Heligoland, and were pursued through the minefields. A running engagement ensued under a heavy smoke-screen -until we sighted four battleships and battle-cruisers. Our advanced forces broke off the engagement, and turned back to meet their supports outside the minefields. Owing to these we were compelled to keep to the line taken by the enemy, and consequently the area was too restricted for the supporting ships to manoeuvre in. The enemy did not follow us outside the minefields. We scored a number of hits. One of the enemy's light cruisers was seen to be. on fire, whilo a heavy explosion was observed on another. A third dropped behind, damaged. Their destruction was prevented by the presence of the enemy's large vessels and their proximity to Heligoland. Our damage -was slight. There were some casualties among the officers and men in exposed positions."—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.-Rcuter.

THE GERMAN VERSION: (Rμ. November 22, 10.30 p.m.) /'London, November 22. A German official report "Besides many small British cruisers and destsoyers in the Bight on Saturday, six ships of the line, or battlecruisers, participated in the engagement. The British Admiralty's report refers only to ligliE cruisers. Tho British advance was quickly opposed with adequate forces, causing them to retire. A number of hits on the enemy's ships and destroyers were obtained, i German aeroplanes bombarded large warships."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn;-Reuter.