STOP PRESS NEWS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20990, 18 December 1939, Page 6

STOP PRESS NEWS

DRAMATIC END FATE OF GRAF SPEC MONTEVIDEO. Dec. 17 The Admiral Graf Spee began to Sink evenly- listing as the water rushed into fhe gaping holes caused by the flymg. in 25 feet of water. The upper It is believed there were no casualties, the entire crew, including a number of wound ad, havin'* been transferred to the Tacoma, to which 300 were transferred before leaving the harbour. The Admiral Graf Spee moved slowly towards its appointment with death. Six launches were alongside, to which the remainder of the crew were transferred. A tug and a barge Dying the Argentine flag approached. After the explosions were heard and flames and smoke were seen, harbourcraft began blowing their sirens, and the public rushed to better vantage points. The British Minister trained his binoculars from a nineteenth story window. Forty minutes after the sinking a further series of explosions and flames engulfed the upperworks. A column of smoke went skyward and temporarily it appeared that the Tacoma was endangered by the flames. A number of launches were still in the water and they dashed to safety. The Admiral Graf Spee’s thick plates were buckled by the first explosion, and the second explosion destroyed the after turret. As the hulk of the Admiral Graf Spee settled H.M.S. Cumberland and an unidentified destroyer approached at full speed, the Cumberland's searchlights playing on the smoke pall. MORE AIR RAIDS GERMANS DRIVEN OFF LONDON, Dec. 17 An Air Ministry communique says that enemy aircraft were seen at several points on the coast this afternoon. The fighters drove them to sea. Anti-aircraft guns opened fire in the Humber district. The sirens were not sounded. ON WESTERN FRONT RAIDS BY GERMAN TROOPS PARIS, Dec. 17 German troops again raided the Blies river section, and fighting continued for several hours. The Germans fell back. Artillery fire continued at night. Smaller raids were repulsed east, of the Vosges. A night communique states: “There is reduced activity and there is nothing important to report.”