Passengers Shocked

Northern Advocate, 15 December 1939, Page 7

Passengers Shocked

When the Formosa, the French liner, arrived at Monte Video, the passengers were suffering severely from shock, and many were incoherent. Descriptions were given of the watch kept throughout the day while wearing lifebelts and witnessing the battle.

The Formosa made full speed toward the coast when she sighted the Graf Spee, which was rapidly gaining when the Ajax appeared, calling the Achilles and the Exeter to support her.

The Formosa manoeuvred behind the Ajax smoke screen. The Achilles, opening fire, sped by towards the Graf Spee. Then the Exeter appeared and the Graf Spee fled, the British warships following. Later, the Formosa again sighted the Graf Spee, being chased by the Achilles and Ajax in a running fight. Details of Damage.

A Monte Video message says that an inspection of the Graf Spee reveals that two shells pierced the fighting tower, entering the port side and emerging on the starboard, ,and two sections of the forward starboard armoured plate were smashed. There were five impacts.

Apparently a small shell hit. the port side on the w.aterline.

The tail and part of the fuselage of an aeroplane were shot off. The extent of the interior damage is not known. A radio broadcast describes the damage to the Graf Spee as a hole five or

six feet in diameter on the port side, 60 feet from the bow and five feet above the waterline. The forward observation tower is split through. One of the forward 6-inch guns was practicaly torn from its base.

The United Press Monte Video correspondent says sources close to the German legation expect the Graf Spec to leave' within a week. Large Force Waiting. An Admiralty communique does not report those killed or injured in the action. Two cruisers pursued the Graf Spee to the River Plate, it is stated, and now, strongly reinforced, await her in the estuary. Very large forces have searched the South Atlantic by air and sea for weeks past. The Minister for Co-ordination of Defence (Lord Chatfield), replying to Lord Strabolgi, who alleged that the Admiralty was withholding information, said: “I have no doubt the Graf Spee will go to sea again—for a short time. ‘Won’t Lose Touch” ‘‘We have been hunting the Graf Spee for some time. “You can be assured that any ship that got into touch with the German is not going to lose her, even if it meant going to the bottom. “That is the spirit animating the. Navy. “I am unable at present to give details of the torpedoed German cruiser.”