SCAPA FLOW EXPLOIT

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 October 1939, Page 7

SCAPA FLOW EXPLOIT

GERMAN COMMANDER’S STORY. [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] LONDON, October 19. The Berlin correspondent of the British United Press says: Commander Prien, of the submarine which sank the warship Royal Oak, gave to journalists further details of the torpedoing. He said that the warships in Scapa Flow were easily visible, as the most brilliant Aurora Borealis which he had ever seen illuminated the sea. He saw two large ships moored ahead. Each was showing lanterns fore and aft. The Royal Oak screened the Repulse, except for the bow and two gun turrets, at which latter he aimed before attacking the Royal Oak. He added: “We were close to the shore when escaping. We saw a car. The driver got out of the car, and studied us. Then he drove away at a. furious pace.” Commander Prien is 31 years of age. German experts here express the opinion that Commander Prien’s submarine must have entered Scapa Flow harbour on the surface of the water, in order to escape the mines and nets. Dr. Goebbels is giving each member of the crew of the sumbarine a scrapbook, containing newspaper cuttings dealing with their exploit. DEATH OF MOHAWK’S CAPTAIN. LONDON, October 19The Edinburgh correspondent of the “Daily Mail” says that Commander R. F. Jolly, the Mohawk’s captain was mortallj r wounded by machinegun bullets as he stood on the bridge. Fie refused to leave his post until he had seen the ship safely moored. A few moments after the Mohawk had been made fast he collapsed 1 and died'.