SINKING OF THE SCHARNHORST

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIV, Issue 22777, 29 December 1943, Page 5

SINKING OF THE SCHARNHORST

British Ships Sustain Minor Damage Convoy Unmolested By Telegraph—N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright (Rec. 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 27. An Admiralty communique says it is not yet possible to give a detailed account of the action in which the Schamhorst w r as sunk, but it can be stated that the convoy was unmolested and only minor damage was sustained by two of his Majesty’s ships. The German battleship Lutzow, according to the Algiers radio, was damaged in the action in which the Schamhorst was sunk. The German High Command has issued details of the battle in which the battleship Schamhorst was sunk. It says:— “Several days ago an enemy convoy bound for Murmansk was observed by German reconnaissance aeroplanes. The convey carried war equipment, food, and supplies for the Russian front. “A German navy task force was sent out and it intercepted the convoy off the North Cape. Poor weather allowed only limited visibility. “The Schamhorst, about 11 a.m. on Sunday, with the commander of the destroyers (Rear-Admiral Bey) as com-mander-in-chief of the task force on board, established fighting contact with the enemy escort of destroyers and cruisers. “Shortly after the engagement had begun one of the enemy’s heavy units intervened. The enemy succeeded, by surprise movements which, owing to the poor visibility, could not at first be observed, in‘bringing up more heavy units. “After several hours of the fiercest action, enemy units encircled the Schamhorst. The Schamhorst sank with her colours flying toward 7.30 p.m., after inflicting heavy damage against the enemy, firing until the last shell was spent. “The remaining German units participating in the battle suffered no loss. “The next-of-kin of the Scharnhorst's crew will be informed of their fate as soon as news is available.” A later communique stated that Captain Hintze commanded the Schamhorst under Rear-Admiral Bey. The Schamhorst was laid down at Wilhelmshaven in 1934, launched in 1936, and completed in January, 1939. Her standard displacement was 26.000 tons. Her complement was 1461 men. Her waterline length was 7411 ft; beam. 98Kt; and moan draught. 24 2-3 ft. The designed speed of 27 knots was reported to have been considerably exceeded on trials. Three shafts were driven by geared turbines and the Schamhorst had diesels for cruising speeds. She was the first great battleship built for the German navy after 1918.