FALKLANDS BATTLE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16744, 28 December 1914, Page 7

FALKLANDS BATTLE.

DETAILS OF ENGAGEMENT. SUCCESSFUL BRITISH STRATEGY. GERMANS FIND ESCAPE IMPOSSIBLE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. "(Received December 27, 3.35 p.m.) LONDON, December 25. Officers of Admiral Sturdee's squadron ftate that the British vessels were coaling when the Germans approached. While steam was getting up the British breakfasted and had a good wash. The squadron then divided in a certain manner and commenced the pursuit. When the Germans found what <hey had run up against they made off at twenty knots. Thoy were within range after six hours. Finding escape impossible they turned and accepted" the inevitable. They fought gallantly and went down with colours flying. Admiral Sturdeo was unable to capture any of their ships, which preferred to sink with their crews The Numberg sank a ft er five hours fighting.

Cables state that tbo British now are off the coast searching for the Dresden. HOW VON SPEE WAS CAUGHT. TERRIBLE HAVOC BY TWELVEINCH GUNS. THE LEIPZIG'S LAST SHOT. NEW YORK, December 26. Further details of the Falklauds fight state that two British battle-cruisers lay in hiding until Admiral von Spee attacked the smaller ships. Then ;he liattle-cruisers came tearing along, each with ei"ht twelve-inch guns swung out for action, and Admiral von Spee real-ised-his terriblo mistake. Meanwhile the twelve-inch guns raked the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau from stem to stern, opening gaping holes in their sides. Flames rmpeaied in the upper works of both ships and they slowly heeled over and sank The Scharnhorst S "ln with the Leipzig most rtf+L British casualties were sustained when the was making The started to rescue tne & Leipzig lauded ano* immedifltel7 Bntisn vessel. ino K° nfllSrT however, expressed reBnttsh nflf l s ; ( ,o s ; i -i that it was theStmVortfheat of battle. The,l

aye inclined to believe that tho Leipzig's last shot was accidental. The British cruisers stopped to rescue the Nurnborg's survivors, enabling +ho Dresden and tho transport Prinz -Kite! Friedrich to escape. _ The Gneisenau was without ammunition when sho sank. Some of tho officers stood at attention and tho' ship's glee club sang : Dio Wacht am Rhein" as sho went down. A large number of her crew wero rescued. Doth Admiral von Spec's sons perished. Tho British and French colonies at Monte Video gave- a brilliant receptioa in honour of Admiral Sturdce. STORY OF THE ENGAGEMENT. GERMANS WALK INTO TRAP. MISCALCULATION REALISED TOO LATE. (Received December 27, 3.40 p.m.) NEW YORK, December 25. Tho captain of. tho steamer Orissa states that Admiral Sturdeo arrived at the Falkland Islands on November 7. The following morning, while somo of the vessels were coaling and another was outside the harbour on guard duty, a German warship was detected Hearing the bay. A few minutes later five vessels were sighted. Admiral von Spec, presuming that the British cruiser was on guard alone, attempted to cut her off. Sho commenced action whiio the Germans wero closing in. Meanwhile other British ships camo up. FIRE OPENED. The Germans, realising that they wero trapped, formed the Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Leipzig in line of battle, while the Nurnberg and Dresden dashed away. Tho Germans opened fire at 13,000 metres. Admiral Sturd'ee did not reply till the distance was 8000 metres. Soon there was a terrific bombardment, splendid weather conditions favouring the gunners. LEIPZIG, SCHARNHORST AND GNEISENAU SUNK. While one cruiser engaged tho Leipzig in a running fight and sank her, the rest engaged tho Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. The former sank after a stubborn resistance lasting an hour. The survivors, drawn up in the bows, refused to surrender. The Gneisenau made a desperate effort to escape, but, battered into a hopeless wreck, she foundered in two hours. FATE OF NURNBERG. The Nurnberg was overtaken ninety miles from the scene of the engagement and quickly sent to the bottom. The British failed to overtake the Dresden. A German transport also escaped, but tho colliers were sunk after the crews had been taken off. BRITISH SHORT OF FUEL. Throughout the action tho British were short, of coal, and boats and everything that would burn wero used as fuel. Ono British ship was slightly damaged below the waterline, but the rest wero unscathed. Eight British killed in the action were buried on December 10. STATEMENT BY GERMAN COMMANDER. Tho commander of tho Dresden informed' the captain of tho Orissa thai when tho Germans arrived at tho Falklands Admiral von Spec detached _ 6 ship to discover the facts concerning the reported presence of British ships. The cruiser returned and reported British cruisers. Admiral von Spec prepared for battle. When he discovered that he had underestimated the strength of the British, von Spee persisted' in fighting, but ord'ercd the Leipzig, Dresden and Nurnberg to retire beyond range, while tho Scharnhorst and Gneisenau gave battle. A LESSON FOR THE BRITISH. EMPHASISED BY ADMIRAL STUB, DEE. (Received December 27, 4.50 p.m.) LONDON", December 26. Renter's Monto Video correspoudeu states that Admiral Sturdee, replying to the British Minister's greeting, sai< that Lord Roberts had recomme'nelee military preparation. If he had boel listened to the war would have beei avoided. 'English business men, forgot tiug their time interests, employee Germans for reasons of economy. H< hoped that traders and British ship ping companies had learned a lesson.