1939-11-28 — Page 5

THE CHINA MAIL, NOVEMBER 28; 1939

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Rawalpindi Sunk By Deutschland Off Iceland

GALLANT AGAINST

NAVY REVEALS MOST DRAMATIC ACTION OF WAR

London, To-day. IT IS NOW REVEALED that H.M.S. Rawalpindi, the converted P. and O. merchant cruiser, was sunk, in one of the most dramatic actions of the war, by the German pocket-battleship "Deutsch- land."

Hopelessly out-gunned and manoeuvred, the officers and men of the Rawalpindi put up a most gal- lant fight against the overwhelming odds, and went down with her colours flying.

Every gun aboard the Rawalpindi was put out of action and the whole ship was ablaze by the time the Deutschland, and a companion ship which joined in the action, ceased fire.

It is now believed that thirty or forty men of the Rawalpindi in addition to those previously an- nounced as saved, were picked up by one of the German vessels and taken prisoners of war.

An Admiralty statement reveals that the Deutschland attacked the Rawalpindi when it was forming part of the North Sea patrol by which the contraband control of German trade is enforced.

At 3.30 p.m. the Rawalpindi, when cruising to the south-east of Iceland sighted an enemy ship.

Capt. Kennedy having examined the vessel through his glasses, said: "It's the Deutschland all right" and the crew were immediately ordered to action stations.

The course was altered to bring the enemy on the starboard quarter.

ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE Smokefloats were lit and cast into the water to enable the Rawalpindi to escape. A second enemy ship, how- ever, was soon seen to starboard.

The Deutschland approaching sign- alled to the Rawalpindi to stop and when she continued on her course fired a shot across her bows.

As this wärning was rejected the first salvo. was fired by the Deut- schland's 11-inol

at 3.45 guns p.m. at a range of 10,000 yards. The Rawalpindf replied with all her four starboard 6-inch guns.

LIGHTS OUT

The third salvo from the Deutsch- land extinguished all lights and broke the electric winches of the am- munition supply. The fourth salvo

shot away the whole of the bridge

and wireless room.

Both German ships were now closing rapidly and by this time the second [#hjp had gone round the Rawalpindi's starn and was firing from the port side.

The Rawalpindi maintained the fight until every gun was put out of action and the whole ship` ablaze ex- cept the forecastle and poop. ⠀

After about 30 or 40 minutes of this unequal combat the enemy ceas- ed fring and the three boats not shattered by shellfire, one of which became water-logged, ware: lowered. It is believed that: two of these boats containing 30 men were ploked up by one of the German, shipwa: “

........ CHITRAL” “RESCUE-- Eleven survivors were brought in by the P. and O, liner Chitral. They

about 6.15 p.m. the approach of a British cruiser caused the enemy im- mediately to withdraw.

The Rawalpindi continued to burn amidships until 8 p.m. when she turned turtle to starboard and foundered with all remaining hands.

RAIDERS ESCAPE Meanwhile the British cruiser at-

tempted to shadow the German ships but in a heavy rainstorm and the darkness of the night they escaped from the scene.

It is added that the Rawalpind! made a most gallant fight against overwhelming odds and went down with colours flying.-Reuter.

ARDUOUS DUTIES

London, To-day. The duty on which the Rawalpindi was engaged is particularly arduous on account of the long, dark nights and severe cold, and it required, for its performance, large vessels of good sea-keeping qualities, capable of en- during frequent storms.

The account of the battle is given from the narratives of the 11 sur- vivors picked up from a waterlogged boat by the Chitral and is, of course, subject to correction in details.

It is, however, sufficient to show that the Rawalpindi made a most gallant fight.

The search for the two enemy war- ships is continuing in tempestuous weather, both by night and in the brief hours of daylight. British Wireless.

MANNED.BY. RESERVISTS

London, To-day. · It is officially stated that the Rawalpindi was manned by mer- chant seamen, reservists. of the Navy, and men; of the Naval Re- serve and Naval Volunteer Re- serve

-Reuter.

SWEDISH PROTEST TO GERMANY

Stockholm, To-day. The Government has protested to Germany #gainst the latter's action

in laying mines Inside Sweden's four-

had swum to the waterlogged life mile zone and the right to claim in-

boat and would probably have, been demnity for, losses, is reserved. Reu- picked up but for the fact that“ át i ter.

a

FIGHT ODDS

Before leaving for Capri to take rest (under doctor's orders), Miss Gracie Fields made a fare. well record at H.M.V. studios. She is here seen going over the script with Phil Cardew, the band leader.

OUTBURST AGAINST BRITAIN

(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")

FULL STORY OF NAZI DECIMATION

(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL")

Basel, To-day.

Travellers from Prague are describing the ruthless Nazi execution of 120 Czech stu- dents on November 17.

Twelve hundred students of the Masaryk College were taken to Ruzyn airport and compelled to stand for several hours with their arms up-stretched. They were guarded by Nazi Storm Troopers.

Upon the arrival of an officer in the afternoon, one in every ten students was ordered to step out of the ranks.

All these wore then placed against a wall and ruthlessly shot In full view of their comrades. A Bulgarian student who protest- ed had his arm broken by a rifle butt.

to

Following the execution, all the remaining students were taken the dreaded Buchenwald Concentra- tion Camp, near Weimar,-Havas. outbursts agálnst Britain in his news- paper "Regime Fascista" on Britain's decision concerning Nazi exports, which he views as particularly serious. he The rope already draws tight, says, and may well be torn under the strain.

Rome, To-day.

State In conclusion, the article describes + Signor Roberto Farinacci, Minister and member of the Grand Britain as "the enemy of mankind!" Fascist Council, is Indulging in violent —Havas.

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