SCHARNHORST BATTLE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 18, 22 January 1944, Page 6

SCHARNHORST BATTLE

EX-WELL!NGTONIAN'S PART

(Special P.A. Correspondent.)

LONDON, January 20,

"The Scharnhorst was plainly visible. She looked graceful and powerful, sil- | houetted broadside on in the ghostly light of a star shell," said Lieutenant H. Boyack, R.N.Z.N.R., of Wellington, j who was officer of the watch in H.M.S. Jamaica during the action against the | German battleship. He was on the compass platform of the forebridge, conning the ship, under the orders of the captain. "Action was joined with the Scharn-. horst at about 4.45.p.m.," he said, "beginning with a star shell fired from our destroyer screen. We were kept busy on the bridge following in the wake of the Duke of York, which was zig-zagging to avoid the enemy straddles. We continued firing rapidly in concert with the flagship. It was seven minutes before the Scharnhorst returned our fire with her 9-inch guns. This part of the action lasted for about [ one and a half hours. I could see the Scharnhorst through my binoculars away on the horizon. We were still within range of her, guns, and one salvo burst close enough to give us all a drenching. Things quietened down, after the first part of the action. "After the destroyers went in to attack with torpedoes the Scharnhorst's speed was reduced. We re-engaged her, after which her speed fell to about four knots. We were then ordered to 'go in and finish her off,' so we fired a broadside of torpedoes from close range from the port side, followed by another from the starboard side. The two caused explosions aboard the enemy which were plainly audible aboard our ship. This torpedo attack must have been the final knock-out blow, for the Scharnhorst came to a'dead stop. We continued firing our six-inch shells. I •could see her decks lit up by the flashes from our exploding shells. "We steamed through the place where she sank. It was covered with a huge oil slick and debris. "It was an exciting battle. At times i it seemed almost like a night encoun- ; ter exercise, without any savour of danger." Lieutenant Boyack was well known I in Auckland and Wellington prior to joining the Navy. He was a compass adjuster at the port of Wellington and principal instructor at the navigation j school. He was also a member of the J committee, judge, and starter of the j Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club. He came to England as navigator of the Monowai. i