H.M.S. BARHAM IN VICINITY

Southland Times, Issue 24001, 16 December 1939, Page 7

H.M.S. BARHAM IN VICINITY

No Part Taken In Action FANTASTIC NAZI CLAIMS (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received December 15, 8.30 pun.) LONDON, December 14. A British naval attache announces that the H.M.S. Barham did not participate in the battle, and adds that the British casualties might equal the German. Commodore H. H. Harwood, who commanded the Exeter, Ajax, and Achilles, has been commodore of the South American Division since September 1936. The commander of the Exeter has requested permission to land 100 men to attend the funerals of the Admiral Graf Spee’s dead. A message from Montevideo says that when the French liner, Formosa arrived the passengers were shocked and

many were incoherent. They described how throughout the day, wearing life-, belts, they watched the battle. The Formosa made full speed towards the Uruguayan coast when it sighted the Admiral Graf Spee, which was rapidly gaining when the Ajax appeared, and radioed the Achilles and the Exeter for support. The Formosa manoeuvred behind the Ajax’s smokescreen. ACHILLES OPENS FIRE The Achilles, opening fire, sped by towards the Admiral Graf Spee. Then the Exeter appeared and the German vessel fled with the British ships following. Later, the Admiral Graf Spee, the Achilles and the Ajax again were sighted in a running fight. The German Official News Agency at Berlin lias released a despatch, ostensibly from Buenos Aires, saying: “The news of the successful naval engagement of the German warship with several British cruisers has made an enormous impression. It was not thought possible that a German warship could break the British blocade, and appear on this side of the Atlantic, which is dominated by the British Navy. “The only British reports of the engagament so far available are .obviously aimed at minimising the British losses, but it is established that the German warship caused heavy losses and dam-

age to the British cruisers, forcing part of them to fall out of the action and seek safety at Montevideo. This German naval victory is regarded as important, because it proves that the German Navy is able to hold its own, even in the most remote zone, against a force far superior in numbers. ALLEGATION REPEATED “All reports confirm that the British used mustard gas, thus spoiling the German vessel’s food. That was the reason the German warship also anchored at Montevideo.” Other German reports continue shamelessly to claim a complete victory. Thus the semi-official organ Deutscher Dienst says: “The Ajax fled, the Exeter was shelled to pieces, while other reports claim that the Achilles was sunk.” The Berlin radio, on the other hand, admits that the Graf von Spee was hit several times, but says it put the Exeter out of action and heavily damaged one other cruiser.

According to the official Berlin news agency the latest Montevideo despatches state that the Admiral Graf Spee shows no signs of damage. Life aboard is normal, and the control towers and hull are intact.