GERMAN WARSHIPS OUT

Waikato Times, Volume 130, Issue 21653, 13 February 1942, Page 3

GERMAN WARSHIPS OUT

BATTLE IN ENGLISH CHANNEL SCHARNH9RST, GNEISENAU, PRINZ EUGEN MANY PLANES WRECKED SHIPS ALSO HIT LONDON, February 12 Under a protective screen of bomber and fighter planes the German battleships Scbarnhorst and Gneisenau and the cruiser Prinz Eugen were sighted in the Straits of Dover today by Royal Air Force fighters and machines of the Coastal Command, which immediately engaged the enemy. Yisibility became limited as the enemy put out a strong smoke screen and as British motor torpedo-boats went into action, supported by planes, it was impossible to assess damage inflicted on the enemy. A probable hit, however, was registered by a torpedo-boat. Batteries of the Dover defences opened fire and the long-range guns of the enemy replied from the French coast. Though handicapped by the low cloud formation, Beaufort machines of the Coastal Command attacked, scoring three torpedo hits, and they were followed Ky planes of the Bomber Command, which claim to have scored hits on all three ships. Sixteen escorting German fighters were destroyed by anti-aircraft defences, six Swordfish torpedo-bombers of the Coastal Command representing our air losses in the engagement. The enemy separated early in the engagement and were last seen proceeding at all speed towards the Heligoland Bight. The Prinz Eugen is a new cruiser of 10,000 tons mounting eight 8-inch guns, while the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, of 26,000 tons, were completed in 1938 and they mount nine 11-inch and 12 6-inch weapons. The three ships have been sheltering in Brest harbour for several months and have been subjected to frequent bombings by planes of the Royal Air Force.