SCHARNHORST IS DAMAGED

Southland Times, Issue 24160, 24 June 1940, Page 5

SCHARNHORST IS DAMAGED

CRUISER HIT WITH TORPEDO THREE DIRECT HITS . BY HEAVY BOMBS (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received June 23, 6.30 p.m.) x LONDON, June 23. It is officially stated that naval and air forces considerably damaged the Scharnhorst and also torpedoed a German destroyer. A communique states that the Scharnhorst received considerable damage through an attack by our naval forces.

One of our submarines sighted the Scharnhorst soon after she left Tronheim Fiord, when she was clearly on a passage to a safe port where she could repair the damage suffered when hit by a least one heavy bomb during an attack by Fleet Air Arm aeroplanes on June 13. The Scharnhorst was heavily escorted. The submarine attacked and hit with a torpedo. Shortly afterwards Fleet Air Arm torpedo bombers delivered an attack. They scored no hits on the damaged battlecruiser, but torpedoed one of the escorting destroyers. Two of our aeroplanes failed to return.

Coastal Command aeroplanes carried out a bombing attack on the Scharnhorst an hour later. Despite intense opposition, resulting in the loss of three of our aeroplanes, the bombing attacks were pressed home and three direct hits with heavy bombs were made on the Scharnhorst. Two enemy fighters were also shot down in flames. PURSUIT BY NAVY The Royal Navy was immediately dispatched at high speed to intercept the German forces, but with visibility rapidly deteriorating further contact was not made. Fuller details of the attack on the Scharnhorst show that notwithstanding the escort of destroyers and a guard of 50 Messerschmitt fighters at least three direct hits were made with heavy bombs. Two struck alongside numbers one and two hung turrets. The other was full on the stern, from which a great quantity of debris rose into the air. The enemy ships were shadowed by a relay of . Lockheed Hudson reconnaissance aircraft for nearly nine hours.

Often the Hudsons, with which a Short Sunderland flying boat co-oper-ated, were themselves intercepted by enemy aircraft and a number of fierce combats took place. The British aircraft continued their observation of the movements of the Scharnhorst until the light became suitable for a bombing attack, which was carried out by a mixed striking force of Bristol Beauforts and Hudsons.

What the pilots described as an avalanche of light and heavy anti-aircraft shells met the striking force as it went into position for the attack. Five British aircraft failed to return. All the time combats were taking place between the attackers and the Scharnhorst’s escort. At least two Messerschmitts were destroyed, one by the Sunderland flying boat. Other enemy fighters were seriously damaged.