WITH GUNS BLAZING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 June 1941, Page 5

WITH GUNS BLAZING

END OF BATTLE-CRUISER HOOD AN ALMOST UNBELIEVABLE NIGHTMARE. WHOLE SHIP ENVELOPED IN FLAME. i By Telegraph—Press Association—Copy right) LONDON. May 30. "The Jloqd’s end was an almost unbelievable nightmare,” says an eye-witness aboard another warship. "She went down with guns still blazing. Shells began hitting her soon after the eiigageineiit opened. A few minutes later there was a bright sheet of flame and the ship blew up. "Early on May 24. in the sombre light of dawn the Bismarck and an escorting cruiser appeared. Our ships sped on. to shorten range, and the Germans turned in toward the pursuers. The world’s greatest battleships were thundering toward one another at top speed. "Then ‘open fire’ was ordered and the Hood’s forward guns belched flame. Puffs of smoke came from the Bismarck within three seconds. The Prince of Wales then began firing. The Hood continued to race forward till a shell or shells appeared to strike just ahead of one of her after 15-inch gun turrets. A large fire broke out, but the Hood raced on.

"What happened next was a sickening sight. There, was a terrific explosion and the whole ship was enveloped in a flash of flame and smoke, rising high in the air. Sections of the funnel, masts and other parts hurtled hundreds of feet. The Hood’s bows tilted vertically, and all remaining three or four minutes later was a flicker of smoke on the surface. A destroyer managed to pick up one midshipman and two seamen.

“The Prince of Wales did not cease pouring shells at the Bismarck. The Prince of Wales was hit earlier, but the damage was slight. Then the Bismarck turned away and the final chase ending in her destruction began.” An Admiralty communique states that in the recent fleet action against the , Bismarck his Majesty’s ships apart from the Hood, sustained the following casualties: Twenty-five killed. 13 wounded.