ONLY SLIGHT DAMAGE

Waikato Times, Volume 130, Issue 21655, 16 February 1942, Page 5

ONLY SLIGHT DAMAGE

GERMAN VERSION OF FIGHT “READY FOR NEW TASKS” (United Press Assu.— fc.ee. Tex. Copyright) LONDON, Feb. 14 A German radio broadcast account of the Channel action, stated to be compiled from official reports, says: “ The warships left harbour shortly after an air raid on Wednesday evening after receiving orders to pass through the Straits of Dover and be ready for operations elsewhere. Except for the loss of a patrol boat and damage to a torpedo boat, the German navy suffered no damage. There were cnly a few casualties among the escort crews as a result of low-level attacks. “ Escorts frustrated an attack by torpedo-boats, two of which were sunk. The remainder were pursued as far as Goodwin Sands. The Prinz Eugen sank a destroyer and set another on fire. “ The German warships outmanoeuvred a coastal shelling attack and talso avoided all torpedoes. There was magnificent collaboration between the ships and the air force in warding off air attacks. The escorts alone destroyed 10 British aeroplanes. The warships are now ready for new tasks.” “ The Fuehrer Expects ” A German war reporter’s account of the action stated that before the warships sailed an order of the day was issued by Admiral Calliax as follows: “ The Fuehrer expects every man to do his duty.” * The reporter adds: “ This time yesterday we were in the brunt of the battle. Now, although anchored in Heliogoland Bay, our nerves are still so tense that we are hardly able to grasp the greatness of our success.” Rear-Admiral Luetzow, broadcast- , ing, said: “ British propaganda blames tfee weather for the German

penetration of the Channel, but this is untrue. The weather was excellent until noon, when the ships had passed the Strait of Dover. Visibility then became bad, favouring the attackers. British public opinion is rightly shocked by this event. This war has imposed on the British Navy a great number of heavy tasks which it is not in a position to satisfactorily fulfil. The United States is now able to toss back at the British the reproach about being caught asleep.” The Berlin radio says 600 aeroplanes participated in the battle, which was the biggest since tire Little of Britain.