Half-Hour Naval Engagement In Arctic Waters

Northern Advocate, 16 September 1941, Page 5

Half-Hour Naval Engagement In Arctic Waters

LONDON. Sept. 15 An eye-witness with the Home Fleet, describing Rear-Admiral P. L. Vian’s successful action against an enemy force in Arctic waters, says three enemy vessels are known to have been sunk, while one was probably sunk. Rear-Admiral Vian. who commanded the destroyer Cossack in several outstanding incidents earlier in the year, was on this occasion commanding a light force of {he Royal Navy. “As we approached North Cape the weather deteriorated until it was almost impossible to see ahead,” the observer says. “A German destroyer suddenly emerged from a patch of mist 150 yards away, crossed our bows, changed course and came down our starboard side. Through Smokescreens “She began laying a smokescreen but before she was hidden a broadside from our after-guns crashed into her. We were only 500 yards distant by that time and saw her bridge and control towers completely blown away. “We emerged from the smokescreen and found the cruiser Bremse frantically trying to get away. Our guns again came into action and the Bremse veered off, making for the mist. Then a tremendous explosion occurred on board her. “We now paid attention to another ship and sank her with a broadside. We then directly hit and probably sank a 600-ton trawler. Many Ships Hit “The weather suddenly cleared, revealing another German destroyer 6000 yards distant. Both sides fired and a running fight started. There was a violent explosion on the German destroyer after she had received at least seven direct hits. “The improvement in the weather was only temporary and for the rest of the battle it was impossible to estimate damage or even to see what type of ship we were engaging. However, at least two more ships were directly hit. The whole action lasted less than half-an-hour.”