H.M.S. CURLEW

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 June 1940, Page 6

H.M.S. CURLEW

SUNK OFF THE COAST OF NORWAY WHILE SHELLING ENEMY POSITIONS. FIRST BRITISH CRUISER LOST IN PRESENT WAR. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.43 a.m.) RUGBY, May 31. The Admiralty announces the loss, by enemy bombing action, of H.M.S. Curlew, off the Norwegian coast. Heavy bombing attacks had been delivered on the ships engaged in shelling enemy positions and protecting coastal areas and convoys, and during which many enemy aricraft had been destroyed. The Admiralty states occasional losses are inevitable in the confined waters in which these operations are being carried out, and it was during these arduous operations that H.M.S. Curlew was struck by bombs and subsequently sunk. This is the first British cruiser to be sunk by enemy action in the present war.

The Curlew was lost in the Narvik area.

Built in 1917 the Curlew was reconstructed and rearmed as an antiaircraft cruiser. In 1938 her original armament was replaced by 10 fourinch anti-aircraft guns.

BULK OF CREW SAVED FOUR OFFICERS & FOUR OTHERS MISSING. (Received This Day. 10.40 a.m.) LONDON, May 31. The Admiralty announces that four officers and five ratings are missing in consequence of the loss of H.M.S. Curlew. GLOWWORM CASUALTIES (Received This Day, 8.55 a.m.) LONDON. May 31. In connection with the loss of H.M.S. Glowworm the casualty list comprises 7 officers and 105 ratings missing, presumed dead and one officer and 39 ratings prisoners of war.