DARING VENTURE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 304, 26 December 1939, Page 7

DARING VENTURE.

" SUB.'S" ATTACK.

How Nazi 6000-Ton Cruiser

Was Destroyed.

DEADLY TORPEDOES.

British Official Wireless.

RUGBY, December 25,

Now that the British submarine Ursula has returned to harbour it is possible to give details of how she sank a German cruiser of the Koln class. The Ursula reached her appointed patrol area after negotiating the minefields known among officers and men of the British submarine service as "Hitler's cabbage patch." Her commander, Lieutenant-Com-mander G. C. Phillips, watched through the periscope and eventually a cruiser of the Koln class was sighted at a range of a'bout four miles. The Ursula at once commenced what was not an easy attack owing to the proximity of German patiol craft, and to rcach the firing position had to dive under screening destroyers. Lieutenant - Oommander Phillips snatched a quick look at the German cruiser through the periscope and gave the order to fire. This was the final stage of a perfect attack pressed in to close range. Ilie Ursula was tsliakeii by a tremcndous explosion as the first torpedo found its mark., A few seconds later there was another great explosion, proving that a second torpedo had also hit. This second explosion appeared to have another explosion superimposed. Both explosions shook the submarine badly, and the second one broke most of the [electric light bulbs. The Ursula expected to be immediately attacked with depth charges from the destroyers, four of which at on™ turned toward her. The noise of their propellers passing dose was almost continuous, and very soon explosions were heard, but the Ursula skilfullv avoided the attack, and after a time came to periscope depth to have a look round. ' i wo destroyers were standing bv the position in which the eneniV cruiser had been, and these appeared to be searching tor eurvivots. There was no sign at all ot the cruiser, which had ohviouslv broken up as the result of the torpedo nits, and had sunk very rapidly. Lieutenant-Commander Phillips l las been awarded the D.S.O. and promoted to commander.