ENEMY ADMISSION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 December 1943, Page 4

ENEMY ADMISSION

HEAVY BRITISH UNITS. BROUGHT UP UNOBSERVED DOOMED BATTLE-CRUISER ENCIRCLED (By Telegraph—(Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.50 a.m.) LONDON, December 27. The German High Command has issued details of the battle in which the Scharnhorst was sunk. It says: “Several days ago an enemy convoy bound for Murmansk had been observed by German reconnaissance planes. The convoy carried war equipment and food l supplies for the Russian front. A German Navy task force was sent out and intercepted the convoy off the North Cape. Poor weather allowed only limited visibility. The Scharnhorst, towards 11 a.m. yesterday, with Rear-Admiral Bey as commander-in-chief of the task force on board, established fighting contact with the enemy escort of destroyers and cruisers. Shortly after the engagement had begun, one of the enemy heavy units intervened. The enemy succeeded by surprise movements, which owing to poor visibility could not first be observed, in bringing up heavy units. After several hours of the fiercest action, enemy units encircled the Scharnhorst. The ■ Scharnhorst sank with colours flying towards 7.30 p.m., after inflicting heavy damage against the enemy, firing until the last shell was spent. The remaining German units participating in the battle suffered no loss. The next-of-kin of the Scharnhorst’s crew will be informed of their fate as soon as new? is available.”