A German version of the battle of Jutland comes from Von Haase, a gunnery offic.er on the Derfflinger, who, describing the "death-voyage" of the battle-cruisers, says that the Germans were cut off from their base, almost entirely surrounded, and in the "wurstkessel" (i.e., sausageboiler, or in the last extremity). The cruisers and torpedo-boats were ordered, if necessary, to sacriffce themselves ruthlessly to save the rest of the fleet, and even to attempt to ram the enemy. Ihe Derfflinger at this stage was crippled and helpless, and at the mercy of her foes. Her guns were out of action, her signalling apparatus had been destroyed, and 3,400 tons of water was aboard when suddenly the action was broken off. "When the sun rose on the morrow," says Von Haase, "a weight fell from our hearts, for ihe enemy v.-ss cut of sight. "
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/DIGRSA19210107.2.52
Bibliographic details
Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 42, 7 January 1921, Page 15
Word Count
141Untitled Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 42, 7 January 1921, Page 15
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