RAIDER ENGAGED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 49, 7 December 1940, Page 5

RAIDER ENGAGED

HEAVY LONG-RANGE FIRING.

MERCHANT CRUISER’S ACTION.

ENEMY MAKES OFF AT SPEED.

[United Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, December 6.

The British/armed merchant cruiser H.M.S. Carnarvon Castle (20,122 tons) was in action yesterday in the South Atlantic with a fast German raider, which was in the guise of a iherchant ship.

The engagement was fought at long range. There was heavy firing on both sides.

The Carnarvon Castle received slight damage. It is not yet known what damage was done to the;raider, which was last seen making off at high speed to the north.

RAIDER’S HIGH SPEED.

CLOSE ACTION NOT INVITED.

HEAVY FIRING BY BRITISH.

(Received This Day, 12.15 p.m.) LONDON, December 6.

An official Admiralty communique states that the armed merchant cruiser Carnarvon Castle, the 20,000 tons former Union Castle liner, has been in actiqn with a fast heavily-armed German raider disguised as a merchant ship in the South Atlantic. Full details are not yet available, but from available reports it is clear that the action was fought at long range. The raider, which has considerable speed, was not accepting closer action. There was heavy firing during the engagement and a considerableamount of ammunition was expended as the Carnarvon Castle gave chase. . . The Carnarvon Castle was slightly damaged and there were some casualties, but it is not yet known what damage was inflicted on the enemy. She was last reported steaming north at a high speed from the scene of the action.

It is understood the action occurred about 700 miles north-east of Monte Video.