REMARKABLE EXPLOIT

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 94, 18 October 1939, Page 9

REMARKABLE EXPLOIT

ROYAL OAK SINKING

SCAPA FLdiW DEFENCES PENETRATED

SEVERAL TORPEDOES FIRED

BOARD INVESTIGATING

(Daventry Broadcast.) LONDON, Tuesday Night,

An account of how H.M.S. Royal Oak was sunk was given by Mr. Winston Churchill, First Lord of the Admiralty, in the House of Commons.

He said that the Royal Oak was sunk at anchor by a U-boat in Scapa Flow at 1.30 a.m. on October 14. It was still ai matter of conjecture how the U-boat penetrated the defences of the harbour, but when it was considered that during the whole course of the last war this anchorage was found to be immune from such attacks on account of the obstacles imposed by currents and net barrages, "this entry must be considered a remarkable exploit of professional skill and daring."

It appeared probable that the U-boat fired a salvo of torpedoes. The Royal Oak was hit in the bow, and this muffled explosion was attributed to internal causes. Twentyl minutes later the U-boat fired three or four torpedoes, all s striking in quick succession, causing the ship to capsize and. sink. The ship was lying at the ex-' treme end of the harbour, and many men were drowned before rescue could be organised by otheir vessels.

Mr. Churchill said he regretted that nearly 800 officers and men lost their lives. He added that, serious as the loss was, it did not affect the margin of security in heavy ships, Which remained ample. He said it Was clear that after a certain time the harbour could be pronounced clear, as a Üboat woUld have to rise to the surface for air or perish. v All precautions would be taken at Scapa Flow, and a board of inquiry was investigating the disaster.

In the House of Lords a question was asked whether the U-boat was sunk. In reply it was stated that the Admiralty had no reason at present to know that the U-boat had been destroyed.