DARING EXPLOIT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20129, 26 December 1939, Page 10

DARING EXPLOIT

BRITISH SUBMARINE GERMAN CRUISER SUNK TERRIFIC EXPLOSIONS DESTROYERS ELUDED (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 9 a.m. RUGBY, Dec. 23. Now that the submarine H.M.S. Ursula has returned to harbour, it is possible to give the details of how she sank a German cruiser of the Koln class at the mouth of the River Elbe. The Ursula reached her appointed patrol area after negotiating minefields known among officers and men of the British submarine service as “Hitler’s cabbage patch.” On December 14 tile Ursula was south of Heligoland, and w r hen she dived in this area a number of German patrol vessels were in sight. Her commander watched through her periscope,' and eventually a cruiser of the Koln class was sighted at a range of about four miles. The German cruiser was screened by six destroyers, but the Ursula at once commenced what was not an easy attack. Owing to the proximity of other German patrol craft, and to reach a firing position, the Ursula had to dive under the screening destroyers. Their propellers were clearly heard overhead.

The captain of the Ursula snatched a quick look at the German cruiser through his periscope and gave the order to fire. This was the final stage of a perfect attack pressed in to close range and carried out on an enemy cruiser despite its protective screen of six destroyers. The Ursula was shaken by a tremendous explosion. The first torpedo had found its mark. A few seconds later there was another great explosion, proving that the second torpedo had also hit. This second explosion appeared to have another explosion superimposed. Both explosions shook the submarine badly and the second one broke most of the electric light, bulbs. Extraordinary Noises At the time the torpedoes were fired the noise of the propellers of the enemy cruiser could be clearly heard in the submarine. With the first explosion these ceased abruptly, and after the second explosion extraordinary noises of rending metal and of a ship breaking up were heard. Naturally, the Ursula expected to be immediately attacked with depth charges from the destroyers, four of which at once turned towards her. The noise of propellers passing close was almost continuous and very soon explosions were heard, but the Ursula skilfully avoided the attack and, after a time, came to periscope depth to have a look round. Two destroyers were standing by the position in which the enemy cruiser had been, and these appeared to be searching for Survivors. There was no sign at all of the cruiser, which had obviously broken up as a result of the torpedo hits and had sunk very rapidly. Unhealthy Area Left Satisfied with her work, the Ursula left the area, which, from the many explosions heard, was still very unhealthy, in spite of the fact that the submarine had eluded the initial coun-ter-attack of the Germany destroyers.. The skilful and successful attack of the Ursula close to the entrance of one of the German fleet’s main harbours shows that the personnel of the British submarines at the present time are worthy successors to the officers and men who so successfully penetrated enemy waters during the last war. The Ursula is a small submarine, having a surface displacement of 540 tons and a complement of 27 officers and men. She was completed in December of last year at a cost of slightly over £200,000.

The German cruisers of the Koln class—there are three of them—are vessels of 6000 tons displacement, mounting nine 5.9 in. guns, and having a complement of 571 officers and men. They were completed in 1929 and have a full speed of just over 32 knots.