TNA ADM 199 790

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accurate, only a miracle preventing the ship being
struck. After releasing bomba the aircraft fired
their front guns, but it seened without great accuracy.
Throughout these attacks the behaviour of the
gun crows was magnificent. A heavy volume of fire was
kept up all the time except at short intervals when
death or wounds prevented a orew from functioning.
Two aircraft were certainly shot down and
probably three.
Six Bren guns were found to be a useful addition
to the armament.
By my order nen were told to lie down when over
possible and on the bridge this was done whenever bonbe
were seen to be released until after they had exploded.
The only man killed on the bridge was Sub.ldeut.
who was standing up firing a Bren gun.
A number of casualties occured when an H.E.
shell in the rack was detonated by a splinter outside the
sickbay.
Aa a result of this action there ware 46 dead
and 180 injured on board and numbers of splinter holes
all over the ship. Those in oil fuel tanks subsequently
stopped the ship about five niles from the North Coodrin
light vessel. Others wrecked electrical circuits
including the D.O. gear, and the gyro company. Only three
holes were found below the water line.
Five miles from the North Goodsin water in the
fuel tanks caused stoppage of nain engines and the Tug
St. Olaive was signalled to take us in tow. However
after three quarters of an hour engines ware reported
ready and course was shaped for Dover.
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