London, June 23.
"The 26000-ton German battle cruiser Scharnhorst has received considerable damage through attacks by our naval units and air forces, and a German destroyer has been hit by a torpedo," states a communique issued by the Admiralty and Air Ministry last night.
"One of our submarines sighted the Scharnhorst soon after she had left Trondhjem Fjord to a safe port where could be made repairs sustained when she was hit by heavy bombs during an attack by aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm on June 13. She passed heavily escorted, "The. submarine attacked the Scharnhorst and obtained one hit with a torpedo. As soon as a report of this attack was received, aircraft of the Royal Air Force Coastal Command were dispatched, "Shortly afterwards, an attack was made by torpedo-bomber aircraft and aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm. No hits were scored on the battle cruiser, but one escorting destroyer was hit by a torpedo. Two of our aircraft failed to return.
Three Direct Hits Scored "An hour later, a bombing attack was made by aircraft of the R.A.F. Coastal Command. Despite intense opposition, resulting in the loss of three of our aircraft, the bombing attacks were pressed home, and three direct hits with heavy bombs were made on the Scharnhorst, Two enemy fighters were also shot down in flames.
"Units of the Royal Navy were immediately dispatched at high speed to intercept the German force, but with visibility rapidly deteriorating, further contact was not made."
It is authoritatively stated that the Scharnhorst was escorted by destroy yers and 50 Messerschmitt fighters. Two RAF. bombs struck alongside gun turrets Nos. 1 and 2 and another fell on the stern. The German ships were shadowed by relays of reconnaissuance aircraft for nearly nine hours until light became suitable for the bombing attack.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.