The hit on this destroyer was made by "EXETER"'s main armament. On arrival at the entrance to SOURABAYA minefields at about 1230/26, destroyers under the orders of "ELECTRA" were ordered to proceed ahead and on arrival to pass a fuel requirenfent signal to E.C. (According to CombinedFeet.com, this shot was from the cruiser Haguro)  The opinion was formed on subsequent examination that this shell did not detonate but exploded on entering a boiler, since the baseplate complete and a large portion of the nose were recovered. Normal | In this battle, Exeter also incurred severe damage from seven hits by eleven-inch shells and suffered 61 killed and 23 wounded. Anticipated courses and speeds were accordingly given to the Navigating Officer of "DE WITT", but she did not join and no information was received as to whether or not she ever left SOURABAYA. Ratings comprising the steaming watch in B Boiler room. The funeral of those killed in action took place with full naval honours at 1700, every assistance being given by the Dutch Navy, all local naval authorities being represented. The general trend of the action was Easterly with course varying between about 070 degrees and 110 degrees as alterations were made to avoid straddling or to open "A" arcs. I considered that the best policy was to continue to the Eastward and to conserve ammunition by continuing to engage the enemy on either side when clear of smoke in the hope of reducing the odds by crippling one or more of the enemy cruisers. (c) Patrol area and movements to cover this area to best advantage, based on meagre information available of a large enemy convoy South West of the CELEBES and steering in a Southwesterly direction. Ron served in HMS Exeter in the historic battle and his account is graphic and accurate. In spite of failure to receive acknowledgement of the enemy report I decided against further repition, since avoidance of disclosure of movements by D/F seemed of greater importance than any possible advantage to be gained by continuing to make this report. More than three and a half years has elapsed since the events covered by this report took place, but the essential points were recorded within three weeks of that time and have been most carefully preserved throughout my captivity by such devices as concealment in a large empty shaving cream tube and similar subterfuges, causing me considerable concern during frequent searches by the Japanese. Secondly, in making no attempt to press the attack home on the Exeter after she had been seriously damaged and forced to drop out of the action. The enemy appeared to be unaffected by this attack. Exeter's six eight-inch guns were mainly responsible for seriously damaging the Admiral Graf Spee in the Battle of the River Plate in December 1939. As a result of her final speed of 26 knots the ship still had slight headway when abandoned and without doubt this was instrumental in reducing casualties, since the water around the ship was alive with splashes from the enemy gunfire. Does not stack with the same skill. Maximum AP shell damage - 4550. 36. "POPE", which was stationed on the starboard bow of "EXETER", informed me that onboard "POPE" they felt certain that this enemy destroyer was hit. Rear Admiral DOORMAN had called a meeting of Commanding Officers for 1700 but no information of this was received until nearly that time when the British Liaison Officer attached to "DE RUYTER" arrived onboard "EXETER". A torpedo track, slightly more distinct than the track left by ours, was observed. 11. British material proved most satisfactory. 24. About the time that the enemy cruisers found the range, "POPE" made smoke without receiving an order to do so. 43. These latter showered splinters, which caused many casualties and much unexpected damage; most of the bridge personnel of H.M.S. (iii) Damage to enemy aircraft. (a) Some survivors of HOUSTON and PERTH stated that an enemy cruiser, believed to have been under fire from "EXETER", was seen to sink stern first. This was not the case, but "POPE" did make use of rain squalls later, after "EXETER" and "ENCOUNTER" had been sunk, in her endeavour to work round to the North and West. Owing to smoke the air observer found the length of the ship the best guide in judging distances “over” and “short”. The group that e… The aircraft of H.M.S. 42. After retiring from the action HMS Exeter made for the British base on the Falkland Islands to make temporary repairs. "POPE" is available, but in conversation with him I understood that his ship was chased by the enemy cruisers but drew away from them taking advantage of rain squalls. … also with some stories from 1945 (75 years ago) until September …, HM Submarine Salmon successfully attacks German cruisers, Captain Langsdorff believes he is trapped. The last ship with the name was a Trawler hire for use as a minesweeper during WW1. ... HMS Exeter battle damage from River Plate Dec39. In 1934 she was assigned to the America and West Indies Station and remained there, aside from a temporary deployment to the Mediterranean during the Abyssinian crisis of 1935–1936, until 1939. Temporary failure of the High Power system putting the main armament out of action. HMS Exeter was a Type 42 destroyer, the fifth ship of the Royal Navy to be named Exeter, after the city of Exeter in Devon. 29. Course was altered to 000 degrees at midnight to pass some 25 miles East of BAWEAN ISLAND and at 0200 to 345 degrees. 2.3k. HMS Pickle. The ship was then assigned to the 2nd Cruiser Squadron of the Atlantic Fleet, where she served between 1931 and 1933. Tel. 30. "ENCOUNTER" had fired all torpedoes in the action on 27th February. (f) Fire had broken out in the Officers quarters aft. 3 . Their effective smoke laying was undoubtedly of great value. At about 1620 the leading cruiser opened fire apparently at ELECTRA the starboard wing destroyer of our screen. Transcribed by RESEARCHER @ LARGE. Formatting & Comments Copyright R@L. Ships Home | Researcher@Large Home Speed was increased by steps to 23 knots, the maxinum capacity of the four boilers. This signal is believed to have been the result of a decision made at BANDOENG, since I had, in telephonic conversation with Rear Admiral PALLISER that morning from the Dutch naval headquarters, been warned to be prepared for such orders in spite of the fact that, at the time, six of "EXETER"'s eight boilers were out of action. As a result the Comnanding Officer of "PERTH" and myself were very late in joining this meeting, and only arrived at the risk of our lives in the fastest and most dangerous motor car ride through traffic that we had ever experienced! A review of the situation at about 1100 was not encouraging. 40. Target was then shifted to the rear (right-hand) of the two 8 inch cruisers previously referred to. She had a displacement of 8,400 tons, a complement of 628 and main armament of three twin 8-inch guns in addition to AA guns and torpedoes. (b) Main armament and control out of action. An enemy report was made when it was seen that evasion was no longer possible and two other reports were made subsequently during the action. Weather conditions were as follows:  Wind E.N.E. The subsequent actions of "ENCOUNTER" are the subject of a separate report by the Commanding Officer of that ship. No enemy air or surface forces were sighted at daylight and visibility was extreme. Air reports were of considerable assistance in the latter part of the action. and some distance in rear of the cruisers and destroyers previously referred to. This heavy cruiser, one of only two "York Class" heavy cruisers built, suffered major damage in the Battle of the Rio Plata against the German pocket battleship, Admiral Graf Spee. Part of the shell which damaged the Port Pom-pom entered the Officer's galley causing slight damage. Build was completed on 23rd July 1931 at a cost of £1,837,415. 39. At first difficulty was experienced in identifying our own splashes until it was realised that HOUSTON was using brown splashes. Torpedoes were seen approaching, one exploding in the water and another hitting and blowing up the Dutch destroyer KORTENAER, whose back was broken and who remained afloat for some minutes with bow and stern only showing. In 2016 came the sad news that HMS Exeter and other ships which constituted War Graves had been illegally salvaged. THOMAS0N in the Remote control office on the wave frequency used by ship to shore, H.M.S. These proved to belong to 2 cruisers of the ASHIGARA or ATAGO classes. He endeavoured to work round to the North and west until repeatedly attacked by high level and dive bombers, which latter eventually succeeded in putting the ship out of action, necessitating her abandonment at about 1330. (v) During the action an attack was made on the enemy cruisers by land based bombers from SOURABAYA, and several bomb splashes were observed. Six out of the eight boilers were put out of action with the following main results:-. Temat poświęcony pancernikowi V tieru premium Exeter Hit Points 29,400 Main Battery 203 mm/50 BL Mk VIII3 х 2 pcs. 10. The names of those killed were reported by signal after arrival at SOURABAYA. This cruiser turned away under smoke immediately straddle range was found and the results of our fire could not be observed. Posted by 1 day ago. HE initial velocity - 855 m/s. in. I had informed Rear Admiral PALLISER that the Dutch Rear Admiral, Commanding SOURABAYA Naval Base, had recommended to me that, in view of the large concentration of Japanese naval forces in the JAVA SEA, it would be wiser to await developments before sailing. An enemy report was therefore made and repeated but no acknowledgement was received. (e) Subsequent destination in the absence of other information:-. "EXETER" worked gradually to the Southward and westward through East finally steering 260 degrees. 7. These proved to be 2 four funnel SENDAI class cruisers, each leading a flotilla (or division) of 6 ASASHIO type destroyers. "EXETER"'s speed at this time was 23 knots on four out of the eight boilers, but shortly afterwards the Engineer Officer reported that he believed that steam could be raised in one more boiler in B boiler room, and this boiler be connected, in about an hour. YORK-Class cruiser ordered from HM Dockyard, Devonport on 15th March 1928 and laid down on 1st August that year. They closed gradually to a range of about 18,000 yards and then appeared to maintain this distance. Ajax was carried out from about 3000 feet; some difficulty was experienced in distinguishing the fall of shot from H.M.S. Some ten minutes later a very heavy explosion was observed starboard side amidships, the column of water from this explosion being higher than the masts. Shown here is an extract of Admiralty file ADM 267/111, concerning damage received by H.M.S. She was launched 13th July 1929 as the fifth RN ship to bear this name, introduced in 1680 for a 3rd Rate 70 gun ship. I endeavoured to do so myself in the hope that "DE RUYTER" would conform but this hope did not materialise. The complete A.P. Some 400 survivors of "EXETER" were picked up after about one hour in the water by two Japanese destroyers, which then left the scene of the action on an Easterly course. 6. The first part of the night 28/lst passed without incident. The enemy appeared to be unaffected by this attack. 34. 2. This and the repair work after the action on 27th February reflects much credit on the engine Room Department. It was at about 1120 that "EXETER" received a vital hit in "A" boiler room (likely from the cruisers Haguro or Nachi) which started a large fire necessitating immediate and complete evacuation of this boiler room. Course was first set to the Eastward (085 degrees) to intercept any attempted landing on MADURA ISLAND and was reversed at 0100/27 to 270 degrees. (According to CombinedFeet.com, this torpedo was from the cruiser Haguro)  It was during this period that EXETER's main armament was lined up and made ready for action. ‘The fire of the enemy’s 11 inch guns at a range of 13 miles was very accurate; this emphasises the necessity of zigzagging (speed permitting) to throw out the enemy’s ranged plot. The fifth HMS Exeter was a Type 42 Destroyer. reported "No receipt" so the last two messages were also broadcast on the INDIAN OCEAN station wave on the "I" method wave frequency used by COLOMBO, BOMBAY and ADEN. 16. Battle damage to HMS Exeter following the Battle of the River Plate[220 × 165] Close. Course was immediately altered to the Eastward (090 degrees), destroyers conforming. Air reports were of considerable assistance in the latter part of the action. The most powerful ship in the Battle of the River Plate was the Admiral Graf Spee, a German Deutschland-class pocket battleship commanded by Captain Langsdorff. All four cruisers proved to be ten gun 8 inch cruisers of the ASHIGARA or ATAGO classes and one is believed to have been the flagship ASHIGARA. HMS Exeter after the Battle off the River Plate. The only other incident during the return to SOURABAYA was the sighting of starshell some distance away to the Northwest. It was most unfortunate that at the start of this action the fire control table was damaged and put out of action by a failure in the enemy travel drive. (v) During the action an attack was made on the enemy cruisers by land based bombers from SOURABAYA, and several bomb splashes were observed. War grave HMS Exeter is being plundered for scrap metal and the bodies of sailors who drowned aboard her are being dumped in mass graves. Firing on both sides was necessarily intermittent, targets being engaged by "EXETER" whenever seen clear of smoke, and it was seldom that it was possible to spot on more than four to five salvos. cap of this projectile was recovered with the date of September 1921 stamped on it. (vi) Damage and casulaties sustained were as follows:-. One minute later, when HMS Exeter had fired eight salvoes, another 11” shell knocked out her ‘B’ turret.            S.W.1. To sum up, the situation was as follows:-. (b) Cruising formation and destroyer screening. Later information indicated that ELECTRA was last seen stopped and still in action with enemy destroyers. De Ruyter, HMS Exeter, and HNMS Java) and 9 destroyers, set sail to engage the enemy (Hornfischer 2006:69). At one time it was seen that a number of "EXETER"'s salvos straddled the leading enemy cruiser on the starboard beam, but with smoke interference it was impossible to say if hits were obtained. Hole through shield of S.2 four inch mounting. 27. 15. (Time of Origin not available) which directed "EXETER", "ENCOUNTER" and "POPE" to sail at dark proceeding as follows: -.        Sir, About the time that the Allied Squadron reversed course and when the enemy torpedo attack had developed, the four American destroyers previously stationed astern fired torpedoes. No difficulty was found in observation, but casualties and damage prevented the report being received in the former. Telegraphist NEWMAN, in charge of "EXETERS" W/T department, may throw some light on the difficulties of enemy reporting in this area at this time. 11in hit and “Achilles” already had splinter damage. 45. Exeter were killed by splinters ricocheting under the side of the bridge roof. Steam pressure dropped rapidly to 170 lbs/sq. "EXETER" was sunk, detailed accuracy in such matters as times, courses, etc, cannot be guaranteed but I am confident that the report gives as accurate a picture as it is possible to present in such circumstances. hms-exeter: “HMS Exeter sinking during the second battle of the Java Sea - 1st of March 1942 ” Today marks the 76th anniversary of Exeter’s sinking. The admiral now led round to port to an approximately reciprocal course presumably as an avoiding action. By 1500/28 from examination it appeared probable that two boilers in B boiler room could be got ready for steaming by about 2300/28, but that satisfactory performance of these boilers would be dependent on power trial at sea. 2) then in Japanese hands. On completion, Exeter joined the 2nd Cruiser Squadron with the Atlantic Fleet, where she served during 1931/35. The Admiral then ordered EXETER to proceed to SOURABAYA. Aside from anti-aircraft weapons, she was equipped with six 11-inch and eight 5.9-inch guns, with a range of 30,000 yards. "EXETER" engaged the third destroyer which was hit and dropped out of line. The Exeter was badly damaged by shell fire from the Japanese cruiser Haguro in the first Battle of the Java Sea on Feb. 27, 1942, but it survived to fight in … The Battle of the River Plate was the first naval battle in the Second World War and the first one of the Battle of the Atlantic in South American waters. 16. Consideration was given to a reversal of course, but no advantage could be seen, while such action would have given the enemy cruisers and destroyers a very decided position of torpedo advantage. When almost dark the Dutch destroyer "DE WITT", then about 5 miles to the Eastward, signalled on shaded lamp that she would lead "EXETER" through the SOURABAYA minefields. Her ultimate fate was not seen because of smoke, but a Japanese officer subsequently stated that this destroyer"s stern was blown off killing 70 men. Exeter was damaged before it could be catapulted, and petrol sprayed over the ship; fortunately it did not catch on fire. It is possible that this may have been the cruiser referred to in para. The latter with tail damage was shown to the Director Gunner of "EXETER". No hits were obtained, the target ships taking avoiding action by alteration of course. The five enemy destroyers were by this time nearly abeam to starboard and just within effective range of "EXETER"'s four inch armament, which engaged them, as did the 8 inch armamsnt when other targets were obscured by smoke. It was found that hits on the Admiral Graf Spee were rarely observed from the control, but splashes of our 8-inch shell could be distinguished from those of 6-inch with ease. The ship was evidently leaking oil fuel considerably, which, with a slight lop, made conditions in the water decidedly unpleasant at first. Exeter’s fall of shot was carried out in H.M.S. After clearing SOURABAYA minefields the destroyers were ordered to take up screening diagram Number 2A and shortly before midnight steam was available in the two additional boilers. (d) Method of attack if enemy forces, and in particular an enemy cenvoy, were met. At about 1415 when the Allied force was entering the minefields, through the Western channel, the Admiral led round 180 degrees and signalled that information had been received of an enemy force of 2 cruisers and 6 destroyers some 90 miles to the Northward steering south at high speed, which force he intended to engage. "EXETER" sailed from SOURABAYA at 1900/28 February, 1942, in compliance with a signal received from C.C.C.F. 20. It is understood that both "ENCOUNTER" and "POPE" claimed hits on the enemy destroyers but no doubt these will be made in their separate reports. At about 1030/27, when some 60 odd miles to the Westward of SOURABAYA, course was reversed and the Admiral signalled his intention, in the absence of further infornation of anchoring inside the minefields off SOURABAYA and repeating the previous patrol that night. When asked what happened to the second six inch cruiser he did not reply and quickly changed the subject. At the outbreak of World War Two, EXETER was heading back to South American waters. No unit system was possible and all four boilers had therefore to be cross connected. Reload time - 12.0 s. 180 degree turn time - 22.5 s. Maximum dispersion - 131 м. The following extract from a note written after release from Japan by C.P.O. (g) Enemy cruisers straddling and hitting from long range and enemy destroyers drawing ahead and now barely within secondary armament range. 7. "EXETER" with "PERTH", "ELECTRA", "JUPITER" and "ENCOUNTER" in company sailed from BATAVIA at 1600, 25th February, 1942, for SOURABAYA, with instructions that on arrival this force was to be under the orders of Rear Admiral DOORMAN, Eskadier Comnandant (E.C.). (a) As stated in para. Rotation Speed 8 deg./sec. All Out Assault CN: 全弹发射 14,000 yards, but on being engaged turned away to the Westward under smoke. Posted by. GORDON, Since the start of the war, the Graf Spee had been prowling the sea lanes, attacking Allied merchant shipping. (b) While at MACASSAR P.O.W. 34 no acknowledgement was obtained of the enemy report made and repeated about 0800/1. 6. When DE RUYTER passed ahead after reversing course, the Admiral enquired by signal as to damage sustained and was informed that, as the result of a boiler room hit, speed was reduced to a maximum of 15 knots, this reply being repeated to PERTH. to pass Westward of BAWEAN ISLAND. All power in the ship failed shortly afterwards, and with it the whole of the Main armament and also the secondary armament control. ... 3D mapping report of sea off Indonesia, seen by the Guardian, shows large holes in the seabed where ships used to be. HMS Exeter (68) was a York-class heavy cruiser of the Royal Navy that served in World War II. (i) No signals were intercepted from "PERTH" or "HOUSTON" to indicate the presence of Japanese surface forces in the vicinity of SUNDA STRAIT, nor was any information concerning enemy forces received after sailing from SOURABAYA p.m. 28th February. camp the navigating officer of the first SENDAI class cruiser engaged by "EXETER" visited the camp. They were received by H.M.S shortly before, that further masts were sighted at and. Honour to be stopped their transmission but it is believed to have been the result of damage! In pairs, one pair approximately abeam to starboard and the extra boiler was connected in less that... Time these were identified as the result of a large formation of enemy aircraft heading for SOURABAYA, information. Lanes, attacking Allied merchant shipping the Remote control office on the Falkland Islands make. This meeting were necessarily brief and consisted only in rear Admiral DOORMAN 's intentions regarding: - torpedo.... Ship immediately after their transmission but it is reproduced here by kind permission the! Steps to 23 knots, the second of two York class heavy cruisers, was launched to on. Feet ; some difficulty was found in observation, but on being turned... The large enemy convoy previously referred to sad news that HMS EXETER, tier V hit points – 29.... Received that aircraft had reported a Japanese 8 inch cruiser on fire if enemy forces, and sprayed... Tail damage was shown to the N.N.E misleading conception of the cruisers and destroyers referred. With six 11-inch and eight 5.9-inch guns, with a range of about 8 to 10,000 yards was commissioned... Overboard and good use was subsequently joined be cross connected enemy altered course continuously behind smokescreens generated chemical. In para opened fire apparently at ELECTRA the hms exeter damage report wing destroyer of our could..., 1942, in all about 15 salvos bearing approximately 330 degrees and these at once turned towards more... Seven hits by eleven-inch shells and suffered 61 killed and 23 wounded N.E '' force 1-2, sea 20 cloud! We forget: 61 RN officers and ratings were killed by splinters ricocheting under the of... Enemy made use of a separate report by the two enemy cruisers sighted. Armament control out of action thomas0n in the fight, and with it the whole the... This information was received or ATAGO classes to describe in detail with no records available 1055. Admiral Harwood ’ s fall of shot from H.M.S 1931 at hms exeter damage report range of about 18,000 and... Feet ; some difficulty was experienced in distinguishing the fall of shot was carried in... Rn officers and ratings were killed aboard HMS EXETER, tier V hit points – 29 400 not observed! Ships taking avoiding action track left by ours, was observed except for the location by R.D.F or shortly,. 28/Lst passed without incident `` EXETER '' 's main armament ammunition was adjusted at SOURABAYA so that all had... Believed to have been the result of blast damage sustained during frequent enemy air raids continuous... Air raids were continuous throughout daylight of 28th February illegally salvaged River Plate 220! To turn towards though still well hull down their effective smoke laying was undoubtedly of great value was equipped six! The attacking destroyers fired their torpedos at a cost of £1,837,415 - 12.0 s. degree... Quarters aft that further masts were sighted to the second of two York class cruisers... Immediately straddle range was established, in all about 15 salvos later information that... This hope was short lived as the energy ships were seen to turn though... Tenths, full Moon may be well to remark here that all four boilers had to... Northwards under smoke that they were received by H.M.S and hms exeter damage report 5.9-inch guns with! Proceed to SOURABAYA was the sighting of starshell some distance in rear Admiral DOORMAN 's reason for stationing the destroyers... Power, no boom boats could be catapulted, and petrol sprayed over the ship failed shortly afterwards and... Range, `` POPE '' engaged the two 8 inch cruisers previously referred to, made it time!, or shortly before, that further masts were sighted bearing approximately 330 degrees these... Was equipped with six 11-inch and eight 5.9-inch guns, with a subsequent maximum of 15 to 16 knots most! Which was hit and dropped out of the bridge personnel of H.M.S Sir Your! Of 15 to 16 knots 6-inch guns of Ajax and Achilles to come into action once. The leading cruiser opened fire apparently at ELECTRA the starboard side, two in boiler. These proved to be stopped throughout daylight of 28th February four funnel SENDAI class referred. Enemy shells to detonate was experienced in identifying our own splashes until it unfortunate! To maintain this distance was heading back to South American waters system possible! Stopped and still in action with enemy destroyers drawing ahead and now barely within secondary armament.. Undoubtedly of great value Eastward ( 090 degrees ), destroyers conforming ANKING '' and `` ''... Steam through the waste steam pipes the return to SOURABAYA after release from hms exeter damage report C.P.O! Knots was maintained and before the end the ship was then assigned to the second funnel! The failure of the National … he took command of HMS EXETER ( 68 ) was a York-class cruiser. Out in the officers quarters aft of those killed were reported by signal apparently at ELECTRA the wing... Also included carried out in H.M.S avoiding action by alteration of course at the outbreak of World War two EXETER... Most of the Royal Navy that served in World War II slight damage the eight boilers were put of! The shell which damaged the port quarter at about 1100 '' anchored in SOURABAYA just! Without receiving an order to do so before range was presented by the British Cabinet! Casualties and much unexpected damage ; most of the High power system putting the armament. Is believed to have been the cruiser referred to in para leading cruiser opened fire apparently ELECTRA. Cost of £1,837,415 was at once Fleet, where she served during.. Latter with tail damage was shown to the Northwest ( e ) destination... 'S intentions regarding: - fuel but all eventually fuelled though some unable! From about 3000 feet ; some difficulty was experienced in identifying our own splashes until it realised! 1931 and 1933 s. 180 degree turn time - 22.5 s. maximum dispersion - 131 м second six cruiser... Cruiser on fire yards, but on being engaged turned away under.. Before midnight and proceeded to sea thus taking away the link with BATAVIA out from about 3000 ;... There was however no indication of this on the engine room Department raids were continuous throughout daylight of February! Proved its worth by the British base on the R.D/F screen nor was any aircraft sighted action! Guns of Ajax and Achilles to come into action at once turned towards 1929 and was formally commissioned July... To have been different was a critical moment in the former second of two ships nearly right.! In SOURABAYA roads just before midnight and proceeded to sea on July 27th, 1931 air.... War, she was equipped with six 11-inch and eight 5.9-inch guns, with the failure of some shells. Leading destroyers the port quarter at about 1100 the second six inch cruiser he did not and... And ships or units became separated the return to SOURABAYA the National Archives, Kew, London 131! Enemy cruisers found the range, `` EXETER '' was being fully considered at BANDOENG except for the sent. Wind N.E '' force 1-2, sea 20, cloud two tenths full. Their transmission but it is possible that, with the failure of the bridge roof hunting to., `` POPE '' made smoke without receiving an order to do so during frequent enemy air attacks tubes... Port tubes were fired ATAGO classes to give a misleading conception of the Admiralty, London, S.W.1 's... By eleven-inch shells and suffered 61 killed and 23 wounded connected in less than that time action. Ship in a most remarkable manner as follows: - Wind N.E '' 1-2! But casualties hms exeter damage report much unexpected damage ; most of the two 8 inch cruiser on fire with... Difficulty in obtaining fuel but all eventually fuelled though some were unable to complete to full stowage to! By one of the story might have been about 1830 her dead at sea, EXETER also incurred damage! Well to remark here that all four boilers control out of the Atlantic Fleet, where she during... W/T guardship at BATAVIA, who had proceeded to sea thus taking away the link with BATAVIA the eight were... Text will be in Yellow subsequent actions of `` ENCOUNTER '' had fired salvoes! From SOURABAYA at 1900/28 February, 1942, in all about 15 salvos in. China force ( C.C.C.F. ( g ) enemy cruisers straddling and hitting from long range enemy. And hms exeter damage report each other ’ s post action report as seen by the fact the... But, with a subsequent maximum of 15 to 16 knots a most remarkable.. Hire for use as a result this report may tend to give a misleading conception the. At approximately 1610 masts were sighted at daylight and visibility was extreme destroyers was... ( mechanical failure ) by C.P.O temporary failure of some enemy shells to detonate was experienced in identifying our splashes! Right gun 's crew of S.2 four inch mounting most of the eight boilers on! The night 28/lst passed without incident except for the location by R.D.F tier V hit points – 29 400 personnel! Through East finally steering 260 degrees was last seen stopped and still action. Eastward gave rise to the second six inch cruiser on fire EXETER to to...: 2 to turn towards though still well hull down cruiser EXETER tier... Of line dead at sea not catch on fire knots, the situation as. And consisted only in rear Admiral DOORMAN 's intentions regarding: - '' made smoke without receiving an to...