FURTHER DETAILS OF THE FIGHT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 28 December 1914, Page 5

FURTHER DETAILS OF THE FIGHT.

THE GERMAN COMMANDER'S TERRIBLE MISTAKE. (Received Last Night, 5.5 o'clock.) - NEW YORK, Decoml>er 26. Further detrils of the Falkland fight show that two British battlecruisers lav hiding until Admiral Von Spec attacked the smaller ships. Then the battle-cruisers came tearing along, each with their 8.12 metiers swung out for action Admiral Von Spee realised his terrihlo mistake. Meanwhile the twelve inclicrs raked the Sclprnhorst and Gneisenau stem and stern, opening gaping holes In their sides. Flames appeared on the upperworks of both ships. They slowly heeled over a:id sank. The Scharnhorstsank ablaze. hi tho fieht with the Leipzig, most of the British casualties were sustained. When the Leipsig was sinking, the British ceased fire, lowered their !>oats, and started the work of rescue. Thou the Le-ipsig landed another shell aboard a British vessel. The later immediately poured a broadside into the enemy. The British officers, however, expressed regret at this, and said it was the outcome uf tho head of battle. They were inclined to believe that the Leipsig's last shot was accidental. The British cruisers stopped to rescue the Nurnburg's survivors, enabling the Dresden and the transport Prinz Eitel Rederich to escape. The Gneisena.u was without ammunition when she sank. Some of the officers stood to attention, and the ship's Glee Club sang, 'Watch on Rhein," as she went down. A large number of her crew wcro rescued. Both of Adnv'ral Von Spec's sons perished. The British and French colonies at Monte Video gave a, brilliant reception in honour of Admiral Sturdee.