The falklands Fight

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 171, 28 December 1914, Page 8

The falklands Fight

■ THE GERMANS' GREAT SURPRISE. GK'itMAXS GAME TO THE LAST. HOW TU:i5 DRESDEN ESCAPED. Received 27, 7 p.m. Lomlun, December 25. Oflieers of Admiral Stunlee's squadron state that they were coaling when the Germans approached. While steam wis being got up the Uritis'h breakfasted and had .a good wash. The squadron then divided in a certain manner, and commenced the pursuit. WJieu the Germans found what they had .run up against, they made oil' at twenty knots, but were within range after six hours. ' ' Finding escape impossible, they turned and accepted the inevitable. They fought gallantly and went down with colours Hying. ■ Admiral Sturdee was unable to capture any ships, which- preferred to sink with their crews. The Nurnburg sank after five hours' fighting. Cables state that the British are now j off tile coast, searcihing for the Dresden. Xew York, December 20. I Further details of the Falkland* fight j show that two British battle cruisers I lay in hiding until the German admiral l.Von Spec attacked the smaller ships. ''Then the battle-cruisers came tearing "along, each with their 8 and 12-inch guns swung out for action. The German then realised his terrible mistake. Meanwhile the 12-incbers raked the ScharI horst and Gnciseiiau from stem to stern, I opening gaping holes in their side 3. Flames appeared in t'h e upper works of both ships, and they slowly heeled over and sank. [When the Scharnhorst sank she was ablaze. 'Most of the British casualties were sustained when the Leipzig was sinking. The British ceased lire to lower boats, and started to the rescue. Then the Leipzig landed another s'hell aboard the British vessel. The latter immediately poured a broadside into the enemy. British officers, however, expressed regret at this, and said it was the outcome of the (heat of battle. They were inclined to .believe that the Leipzig's last shot was accidental. The British cruisers stopped to rescue the Nurnliurg's survivors, and enabled the Drenden and the transport Prinz E:tel Friedrich to escape. Tlie Gnuiacnau was out of ammunition when she was sunk. ,Som c of the officers stood at attention while the ship's glee club sang "The Watdh on the Rhine" as the ship went down.. A large number of bcr crew were rescued. Boti'a , of Admiral Von Spee's sons perished!. Tlie British and French colonies' at . Monte Video gave a brilliant reception ; in honour of Admiral Sturdee. . ANOTHER ACCOUNT. 'GERMANS TRAPPED INTO '. FIGHTING. . THE BRITISH SHIPS SHORT OF i COAIL. New York, December 25. I The captain of the steamer Oriosa l states that Admiral 1 SUurdoe arrived - at the Falkland Islands on November 7. i The following morning, while some vesr sola were coaling another outside the , harbour on guard duty, a German warship was detected nearing the bay. Some minutes later, five vessels were sighted. Von Spee, presuming the British cruiser was on guard alone, attempted to cut 'her off. She commenced action while th e Germans were closing in. Meanwhile other British ships had come up. The Germans, realising they were trapped, formed the Sdharnhorst, Gniesenau and Leipzig into line of battle, while the Nurnburg and Dresden dashed . away. The Germans opened fire at l 13,000 metres, but Admiral Sturdee , did not reply till the range was eight . thousand yards. Soon there was a ter- , ride bombardment, the splendid weather [ conditions favouring the gunners. L While one cruiser engaged the Leipste in a running fight and sank her, the rest engaged the Scharnhorst and Gniesenau. The former sank after stubborn resistance lasting an hour. The survivors, ■ drawn up i n the bows, refused to sur--1 render. The Gniesenau made a des- •- .perate effort to escape, but was battered ■ into a hopeless wreck, and foundered in • two hours.

The Nurnbcrg was overtaken ninety miles from the scene of the engagement and quickly sent to the bottom, ihe British failed to overtake the Dresden. A German transport also escaped, but the colliers were sunk after the crews had been taken off. throughout the action the British were short of coal, and boats and everything that would burn were used as fuel.

One British ship was slightly damaged below the waterline, but the rest came off unscathed. Eight British were lolled i n action, and were buried on the tenth.

Iho commander of th o Dresden informed the captain of the Oriesa that when the Germans arrived at the i'allvlands Von Spec detached a ship to discover the facts concerning the reported presence of British ships. The cruiser returned and reported the British battle. When be discovered that he had under-estimated the strength of the .hritish Von Spec 'persisted in fighting, but ordered the Lcipzic, Dresden and Mirnbcrg to retire beyond range while the Scharnhorst and Gniesenau gave