TORPEDOING OF ROYAL OAK

Southland Times, Issue 23953, 20 October 1939, Page 7

TORPEDOING OF ROYAL OAK

U-BOAT COMMANDER’S

STORY

WARSHIPS LIT UP BY AURORA BOREALIS

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received October 19, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, October 19.

The Berlin correspondent of the British United Press says that Commander Prien, of the submarine which sank the Royal Oak, gave journalists further details of the torpedoing. He said:

“The warships were easily visible as the most brilliant Aurora Borealis I have ever seen illuminated the sea.” He saw two large ships moored ahead, each showing lanterns fore and aft.

The Royal Oak was screened by the Repulse, except for the bow and two gun turrets, at which he aimed before attacking the former. “We were close to the shore when we were escaping,” he said, “and saw a car stop. The driver got out studied us and then drove away at a furious pace.” Commander Prien is 31 years of age. The Berlin radio announced that Dr Josef Goebbels was giving each member of the submarine crew a scrapbook containing newspaper cuttings dealing with their exploit. N.Z. PILOTS REPORTED DEAD (Received October 20, 12.55 a.m.) LONDON, October 19. The sixth Royal Air Force casualty list contains the names of 13 killed in action, seven who died on active service, two missing, believed killed, and nine missing. There were no Australians. Those killed on active service include Pilot Officer B. L. G. Harker, of Wairoa, and among those killed in action and previously reported missing is Pilot Officer G. W. Sutton, of Auckland.