RAIDER’S ESCAPE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 August 1940, Page 5

RAIDER’S ESCAPE

ACTION WITH ALCANTARA SOME DETAILS OF ENEMY SHIP. ARMED WITH 5.9 INCH GUNS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day. 9.47 a.m.) RUGBY, August 2. From further details available in London, it appears that the Alcantara’s action against the German raider, in the South Atlantic, began at about 16,000 yards, which the Alcantara closed to 9000 yards, scoring hits meanwhile. The German raider, having scored a lucky hit on the Alcantara’s waterline, which penetrated into the engine room, dropped smoke floats and turned away. Although no great damage was done to the Alcantara, her speed was reduced to 10 knots, thus enabling the enemy to escape. The German raider appeared to be a vessel of between 8000 and 9000 tons, with a dark-coloured hull, one straight funnel and two straight masts, carrying topmasts. She carried a boadside of four guns, which seemed to be 5.9 inch. NAZI VERSION ALCANTARA “SOUGHT REFUGE.” GERMAN CRUISER “CONTINUED ON ITS WAY.” (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.0 a.m.) BERLIN. August 2. A communique states: "An engagement occurred in the South Atlantic between a German auxiliary cruiser and the British auxiliary cruiser, Alcantara, which received serious hits, particularly in the engine room, with the result‘that the battle was broken off. The Alcantara sought refuge in Rio de Janeiro. The German cruiser continued on its way and carried out its prescribed tasks.”