ODDS TOO BIG

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 265, 29 November 1939, Page 3

ODDS TOO BIG

FIGHT TO LAST BRITISH VESSEL SUNK BY 'GERMANS DEUTSCHLAND SHELLS SECOND RAIDER HELPS RUGBY, Nov. 27. Following yesterday’s reports that H.Al'. armed merchant cruiser Rawalpindi etf 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 farming part of the northern patrol by which the contraband control of German trade is enforced. This duty is particularly arduous on account ol the long, dark nights and severe cold, and requires for its performance large vessels of good sea-keeping qualites, capable of 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 l is the Deutschland! all right.’ The crew were immediately ordered to action stations and the course was altered to bring the enemy to 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 h.eaveto and when she •continued on her course, fired a shot across her bow. “As this warning was rejected:, the first salvo was fired by tbe ilia, guns of the Deutchlaud a little after 3.13 p.m. at a range of 10,000 yards. 'I ho Rawalpindi replied with all her lour starboard 6in. guns. “A third salvo from the Deutschland put out all the lights and broke the clctric winches of the Rawalpindi’s ammunition supply. A fourth salvo shot, away the whole of the bridge and the wireless room. '•Doth German ships were now closing rapidly and by this time the second had gone round to the .Rawalpindli’s stern and was tiling 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 tin' forecastle and the poop. “Aityr about 30 to 40 minutes of this unequal combat, at about 4.13 to 1.25 p.m., the enemy ceased bring and three boats which were not shatterd I)vi .shellfire, one of which became waterlogged, were lowered. Two oi 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 Chitra! swam to a water-logged lifeboat and would probably have been picked up but lor the fact that at about 6.15 p.m. the approach of a British cruiser caused the enemy immediately to withdraw. Turned Turtle

‘•The Rawalpindi continued to burn antidship until 8 o’clock, when she turned turtle to starboard and foundered with all the remaining bands. “Meanwhile the British cruiser attempted to shadow the German ships, but in a sudden heavy rainstorm and the darkness of the night they made their escape. “'l’llis account wa« given from the narratives of I l survivors who were picked: up from the water-logged boat by the 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 went down with her colours flying. “The search for tho two enemy warships continues in tempestuous weather, both by night and in the brief hours of daylight.” It is understood that the Rawalpindi’s complement, was .’IOO.