BOLD ATTACK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 June 1940, Page 6

BOLD ATTACK

SCHARNHORST TORPEDOED EXPLOIT OF BRITISH SUBMARINE SKILLED WORK IN BAD WEATHER. SHATTERING EXPLOSION HEARD. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.5 a.m.) RUGBY. June 28. It is now possible to give details of the successful attack by the British submarine, H.M.S. Clyde, on enemy capital ships during the night of June 20, in which the Scharnhorst was again badly damaged. The Clyde was patrolling off Trondheim Fiord, where the Scharnhorst had been hit by aircraft on June 13. The Clyde observed two large warships, escorted by destroyers, and immediately manoeuvred to attack. The conditions were exceedingly difficult, with very poor visibility and rough weather, and to make matters worse the enemy ships made a large alteration of course, away from the submarine, during the attack. The attack was pressed home to the utmost, having regard to the weather conditions and the speed of the enemy, and torpedoes had to be fired at comparatively long range. An attack was carried out on the Scharnhorst and at the exact second expected, a shattering explosion told the crew of the Clyde that one of their torpedoes had hit the enemy. This explosion was particularly heavy, shaking the submarine and putting out some of the lights.