FIGHT TO LAST

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20106, 28 November 1939, Page 8

FIGHT TO LAST

BRITISH VESSEL ;

SUNK BY GERMANS

DEUTSCHLAND SHELLS

SECOND RAIDER HELPS

END OF RAWALPINDI (Elou Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 1.15 p.m. RUGBY. Nov. 27. Following yesterday’s reports that H.M. armed merchant cruiser Rawalpindi, of 16,100 tons, formerly a .P. and O. mail ship, had been sunk, the Admiralty has issued the following statement: —

“The armed merchant cruiser Rawalpindi was forming part of the northern patrol by which the contraband control of German trade is enforced. This duty is particularly arduous on account of the long, dark nights and severe cold, and requires for its performance large vessels of good sea-keeping qualities, capable cf enduring frequent storms. “At 3.30 p.m. on November 23. when cruising to the south-east of Iceland, she sighted an enemy ship. Captain Kennedy, having examined this vessel through his glasses, said: ‘lt is thcDeutschland all right.’ The crew were immediately ordered to action stations and the course was altered to bring the enemy on the starboard quarter.

Second Ship Appears

“Smoke floats were lit and cast into the water to enable the Rawalpindi to escape. However, a second enemy ship was soon seen to starboard.

“The Deutschland. approaching, signalled to the Rawalpindi to heaveto and when she continued on her course fired a shot across her hows. “As this warning was rejected, the first salvo was fired by the llin. guns of the Deutschland a little after 3.45 p.m. at a range of 10,000 yards. The Rawalpindi replied with all her four starboard Gin. guns. “A third salvo from the Deutschland put out all the lights and broke the electric winches of the Rawalpindi’s ammunition supply. A fourth salvo shot away the whole of the bridge and the wireless room. “Both German ships were now closing rapidly and by this time the second had gone round to the Rawalpindi’s stern and was firing from the port side.

Whole Vessel Ablaze

“The Rawalpindi maintained the fight until every gun was put out of action and the whole ship was ablaze, except the forecastle and poop.

“After about 30 to 40 minutes of this unequal combat, at about 4.15 to 4.25 p.m., the enemy ceased firing and three boats which were not shattered by shellfire, one of which became waterlogged, were lowered. Two of these boats, containing more than 30 men, were, it is believed, picked up by one of the German ships.

“Eleven survivors who have been brought in by the Chitral swam to a water-logged lifeboat and would probably have been picked up but for the fact that at about 6.15 p.m. the approach of a British cruiser caused the enemy immediately to withdraw. Turned Turtle “The Ravyalpindi continued to burn amidships until 8 o’clock, when she turned turtle to starboard and foundered with ail the remaining hands.

“Meanwhile the British cruiser attempted to shadow the German ships, but in a sudden heavy rainstorm and the darkness of tfie night they macie their escape.

“.This account is given from the narratives of 11 survivors who were picked up from the water-logged boat by tiie Chitral and is, of course, subject to correction in detail. It is however, sufficient to show that the Rawalpindi made a most gallant fight against overwhelming odds and wen; down with her colours flying. “The search lor the two enemy warships continues in tempestous weather, both by night and in the brief hours of daylight."

It is understood that tiie Rawalpindi’s complement was 300.