BISMARCK'S END

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20568, 30 May 1941, Page 6

BISMARCK'S END

GUNS SILENCED BIG BRITISH SHIFS RESCUE OF SURVIVORS MORE THAN 100 CAPTIVES (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 1.50 p.m. RUGBY. May 29. An Admiralty communique states: — “It is now possible to give some details of the final phase of the destruction of the German battleship Bismarck. A torpedo attack by naval aircraft and a destroyer "attack during the night of May 26-27, in which H.M.S. Sikh took part in addition to the ships already announced, resulted in the speed of the Bismarck being greatly reduced and her steering gear was put out of action. Botii her main and secondary armament, .howe.ver, remained effective. “The Commander-in-Chief of the Homo Fleet intended to close the Bismarck at. dawn and sink her by gunfire from H.M.S. King George V and H.M.S. Rodney. This intention, however, was abandoned owing to the uncertain and variable visibility, vviiich made "it necessary to await full daylight before closing. King George V and Rodney “Shortly before 9 a.m. the King George V and the Rodney engaged the enemy with main armament gunfire. These two batteries silenced the enemy. The Commander-in-Chief then ordered H.M.S. Dorsetshire to sink the Bismarck with torpedoes. As already announced the Bismarck was sunk at 11.1 a.m. on May 27. “More than 100 officers and men from the Bismarck were picked up by our forces and are prisoners of war. ' “On the day after the sinking some of our naval forces which had taken part i,n the operations leading up to destruction of the German battleship were heavily attacked by German aircraft. During these attacks His Majesty’s destroyer Mashoha, belonging to the tribal class, was hit. The Admiralty regrets" to announce that she subsequently sank and one officer and 45 ratings are missing.”