Evening star., 1944-01-03
Admiral fraser Tells Own Story
OfHow Schornhorst Was Sunk

OF her 14-lnch guns, followed by her
5.25s and the Jamaica's 6-inch. AL.
though the enemy fired a star shell
it was not until 10 minutes later, at
1700 Is PM that she opened fire
with her 11-inch on the Duke of
York.
From then on until 1924 1924
p.mo the Duke of York and Scharn-
horst fired at each other continu-
ously, the latters tactics being to
fire a broadside and then turn away
so that her length was hidden and
only the narrow width of her beam
presented as a target.
With her superior speed the
Scharnhorst was gradually drawing
out OF effective range. Several hits
had by this time been observed and
one obtained at about 1906 (6:06
p.m), succeeded in inflicting dam
age which by 1880 (6:30pm.), had
reduced her speed to 20 Knots.
Though the enemy fire was al
ways accurate and the ship was
straddled time and again, the Duke
Of York received only two minor hits
which penetrated the masts.
Mastery, resolute handling OF his
ship by Capt. Guy Russell, who COM
manded the Duke of York, can have
been the only reason why she was
not more seriously damaged.
Range Becomes Too Great.
BY 1924 (6:24 PM, the range had
opened unduly and, as a reduction
In speed had not yet become ap-
parent, the Duke of York ceased
firing. as fire could not be effective
at such distance, and the enemy
did likewise.
A few minutes later she was seen
to open fire again with all her
armament at much closer target
This proved to be the destroyers of
the Duke Of Yorks screen, which
had been creeping up on the Scharn-
horst, waiting for a chance to get
close enough to deliver a torpedo
attack.
Damage inflicted by the Duke of
York's gunfire by now had made it
self felt and the Scharnhorst had
slowed down to 20 knots. The
destroyers had an opportunity which
they seized with both hands.
About 1845 (6:45 p.m), the Savage
and Saumarez swept in on the star
board bow Of the enemy, and the
Scorpion and Stord on the port bow
under murderous fire from the
Scharnhorst's guns. They pressed
on indomitably, and the range was
under one mile when each in turn
flred torpedos point blank and
turned away under smoke to make
good their escape.
Only the Saumarez was hit and
sustained damage to her upper
works, one officer and 10 ratings
killed and II ratings wounded.
At appropriate intervals at least
three underwater explosions were
clearly heard by the Duke OF York.
From then on, the fate of the
Scharnhorst was sealed.
Hit BY 14-inch Shells.
The Duke OF York had been stead
lily gaining on her but she still was
making fair speed and firing all her
guns at the destroyers when. at
1901 G:01 p.m), the Duke of York
again opened fire. From then on
she was repeatedly hit by 14-inch
shells. Interior fires glowed and
flashes of exploding ammunition
were seen. She started to circle, her
speed gradually dropping, until at
1928 0:28 p.m) she almost stopped
steering to the north.
At 1882 (7:32 p.mD the Duke of
York ceased fire to allow the
Jamaica, which had been detached
for the purpose, to close in and
finish her of with torpedos.
Other forces by this time were on
the spot. Admiral Burnett on the
Belfast, with the Norfolk, who had
been engaging whenever they had
the opportunity, now closed in from
the northwest, and the destroyers
Musketeer, Matchless, Opportune
and Virago arrived from the west,