RNZN Cadets Helped To Sink The Scharnhorst

[Dave Homewood]

LUCKY N.Z. CADETS

SCHARNHORST ACTION

(Special P.A. Correspondent.) LONDON, January 13.

To take part in the great naval battle which resulted in the sinking of the Scharnhorst, only two months after their arriving in England from New Zealand, and during their first seagoing trip in a warship, was the luck of 14 cadets who are training to take commissions. Their job in the battle was supplying the guns of H.M.S. Sheffield, which fired several salvos at the Scharnhorst, hitting her with the second salvo.

They are Ordinary Seamen W. E. Brown (Auckland), R. W. Jones (Auckland), W. Jarvie, E. W. Hindle, E. Brayshaw, W. R. Hocking, D. H. Davies (Wellington), P. Bell (Matamata), L. Q. Linehan (Tauranga), B. E. Lamb (Christchurch), H. D. Bell (Lake Wanaka), K. G. Perrin (Palmerston North), F. P. Brady (Napier), and A. H. Donovan (Dunedin).

Hindle said: "The captain kept the ship's company informed of the course of the action by reporting it over the ship's loudspeaker system. For the most part we were kept too busy to see anything, but once I was detailed to carry bread from the bakery to the galley for the evening action meal. I could then see on the horizon the Duke of York and the Scharnhorst exchanging salvos. You could tell the Scharnhorst's flashes by the different type of cordite she was using."

Brown said: "Most of us managed to see the final stages of the battle, which, in the distance, looked like a fireworks display. The Scharnhorst was firing in all directions with everything, including star-shells.; We did not, of course, see the Scharnhorst go down because it was dark, and she was too far away, but there was a great cheer when the captain announced she had been sunk."

EVENING POST, 15 JANUARY 1944

[Dave Homewood]

SCHARNHORST BATTLE

EX-WELLINGTONIAN'S PART

(Special P.A. Correspondent.)

LONDON, January 20,

"The Scharnhorst was plainly visible. She looked graceful and powerful, silhouetted broadside on in the ghostly light of a star shell," said Lieutenant H. Boyack, R.N.Z.N.R., of Wellington, who was officer of the watch in H.M.S. Jamaica during the action against the German battleship. He was on the compass platform of the forebridge, conning the ship, under the orders of the captain.

"Action was joined with the Scharnhorst at about 4.45.p.m.," he said, "beginning with a star shell fired from our destroyer screen. We were kept busy on the bridge following in the wake of the Duke of York, which was zig-zagging to avoid the enemy straddles. We continued firing rapidly in concert with the flagship. It was seven minutes before the Scharnhorst returned our fire with her 9-inch guns. This part of the action lasted for about one and a half hours. I could see the Scharnhorst through my binoculars away on the horizon. We were still within range of her, guns, and one salvo burst close enough to give us all a drenching. Things quietened down, after the first part of the action.

"After the destroyers went in to attack with torpedoes the Scharnhorst's speed was reduced. We re-engaged her, after which her speed fell to about four knots. We were then ordered to 'go in and finish her off,' so we fired a broadside of torpedoes from close range from the port side, followed by another from the starboard side. The two caused explosions aboard the enemy which were plainly audible aboard our ship. This torpedo attack must have been the final knock-out blow, for the Scharnhorst came to a dead stop. We continued firing our six-inch shells. I could see her decks lit up by the flashes from our exploding shells.

"We steamed through the place where she sank. It was covered with a huge oil slick and debris.

"It was an exciting battle. At times it seemed almost like a night encounter exercise, without any savour of danger." Lieutenant Boyack was well known in Auckland and Wellington prior to joining the Navy. He was a compass adjuster at the port of Wellington and principal instructor at the navigation school. He was also a member of the committee, judge, and starter of the  Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club. He came to England as navigator of the Monowai.


EVENING POST, 22 JANUARY 1944